Simeone claimed at the beginning of the season that La Liga was boring. Madrid and Barcelona play a different championship, the Argentine explained. This is a boring championship.
Yet Atletico's super start to La Liga has been anything but boring. A 2-0 win at Valladolid on Saturday night arrived courtesy of second-half goals from Raul Garcia and Diego Costa. That followed victories over Sevilla [3-1], Rayo Vallecano [5-0], Real Sociedad [2-1] and Almeria [4-2], as well as an impressive Champions League opening success over Zenit [3-1]. And the Rojiblancos ran Barca extremely close over two legs in the Spanish Supercopa too - losing on away goals after a 1-1 draw in Madrid and a goalless game at Camp Nou.
Following their European exertions in midweek, Atleti were forced to dig deep on Saturday, but Simeone's side found the inspiration as Koke first set up Garcia with a fine cross which the midfielder headed home [he is the only player to have netted twice with his head so far in La Liga] and then assisted Diego Costa for the all-important second.
We waited for our moment and we took advantage of our virtues, Simeone said afterwards. We played with a strength and persistence that has made this team so successful.
Under the Argentine coach, Atletico have enjoyed spectacular success, claiming the Europa League in 2011-12, the Uefa Super Cup and the Copa del Rey last term, as well as qualification for the Champions League via a third-placed finish.
However, the Colchoneros will now look to step up once again - and that's despite the signigficant loss of striker Radamel Falcao in the summer.
At the moment, Atletico appear to be coping just fine without their former star man. David Villa (three goals so far this term) has settled quickly since his summer signing from Barca, while Costa (with five strikes in all competitions) has stepped up again in 2013-14 after rejecting a switch to Liverpool last month.
Costa was not the only one to choose Atletico when he could have moved on this summer. Arda Turan turned down several offers before signing a new deal recently, while Juanfran ruled out a move to Arsenal in order to pen fresh terms with the Madrid side. The players sense they are part of something exciting, that Atletico is currently a great place to be.
The club's starting side is indeed impressive, with quality all the way through the line-up: Thibaut Courtois is among the world's best goalkeepers, Diego Godin is a no-nonsense centre-back, Gabi and Martio Suarez work tirelessly in midfield, while Costa, Villa, Koke and Arda are all top players further forward.
Simeone also has options on the bench. Youngster Oliver Torres is an exiciting talent, while summer signing Leo Baptistao adds attacking alternatives, along with Spain striker Adrian [who is currently sidelined]. Tiago will have a part to play in midfield, too, and recent recruit Toby Alderweireld provides another option in defence.
By comparison to Barca and Madrid, Atleti's squad still seems short and question marks remain over theRojiblancos' stamina - especially after how the team faded in La Liga at the end of last season. But having ended ther hoodoo against Madrid by beating Real in the Copa del Rey final in May (thereby drawing a 14-year winless streak to a close) and also giving Barca a great game in the Supercopa, the Colchoneros have grown in confidence this year.
