Atletico Madrid's Winning Streak Reaches 14 Matches, But Simeone Remains Cautious

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has warned his players to stay humble after their record-breaking 14-match winning streak.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has urged his players to remain humble and grounded after their 14-match winning streak propelled them to the top of the LaLiga standings. The Argentine coach's warning came after Atletico's 1-0 home win over Osasuna on Sunday, which saw them leapfrog rivals Real Madrid to claim the top spot. Julian Alvarez's 55th-minute goal proved to be the decisive factor, lifting Atleti to 44 points, one ahead of second-placed Real.

Simeone praised his team's collective effort and ability to overcome difficulties, highlighting their recent success as a testament to their hard work. “The players have done a great job in the past few months, there's a collective effort... They know how to suffer and understand that there will be difficulties in every step,” the Argentine coach told reporters. Atletico's winning streak is their longest ever across all competitions, and Simeone's emphasis on humility suggests that he is keen to keep his players focused and motivated.

The winning goal was a result of a clever set piece routine, which Simeone had been emphasizing the importance of in recent discussions with his players. A short corner from Antoine Griezmann found Clement Lenglet at the far post, who headed it down to Alvarez, and the Argentine made no mistake slotting a low shot into the net from close range. “We had been talking with the guys about giving set pieces the importance it deserves. It gives us the chance to win games when it's not easy,” Simeone explained.

Atletico Madrid's club-record winning streak began with a 2-0 away win over Unio Esportiva Vic in the Copa del Rey on October 31st. Since then, the team has managed to secure several impressive victories, including a 2-1 win over rivals Barcelona in December, thanks to a 96th-minute goal from Alexander Sorloth. Atletico also drew 1-1 with Real Madrid earlier in September. As the team continues to ride their winning wave, manager Diego Simeone has emphasized the importance of humility. “(We need) to be aware of where we are, of what the team is playing for, of what we must go through to achieve these objectives. We are not going anywhere without humility,” Simeone added.

When asked if his side were capable of continuing their impressive form and winning a third LaLiga title under his leadership, Simeone played down expectations. “That's very difficult to answer. I'd have to be a magician or visionary. We need to stay on track, saying anything else would be disrespectful. To repeat what we've done in the first half of the season, we’ll have to keep working one match at a time,” he said. Simeone's cautious approach is understandable, given the challenges that lie ahead for Atletico Madrid.

Atletico face a grueling schedule in January, with six matches across three competitions in just 18 days. Their next challenge comes on Wednesday, when they take on second-tier side Elche in the Copa del Rey. Three days later, they will visit Leganes in LaLiga. Atletico will also resume their European campaign on January 21st, hosting German side Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. With 12 points from six games, Atletico currently sit in 11th place in the Champions League.