Simeone hails ‘big result against our rivals’ after Atletico thrash Real in Madrid derby
It was a thrilling clash between two bitter LaLiga rivals on Saturday
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was left jubilant after his side’s 5-2 victory over city rivals Real, calling the win “a big result against our rivals” following an underwhelming start to the season.
There had been growing speculation in the build up to the match over the future of Atletico’s long-serving head coach, but the Argentine silenced his critics in emphatic fashion at the Metropolitano on Saturday.
A Julian Alvarez brace, as well as goals from Robin Le Normand, Alexander Sorloth and Antoine Griezmann sealed a memorable win for the hosts, who going into the game had picked up only nine points from six LaLiga games.
Real, by contrast, sat top of the league at kick-off with a 100% record so far this term. However, despite goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler, they were undone in style, with the Atletico boss admitting he liked “everything” about his side’s performance.
“We were great from the start,” Simeone added. “The team knew what to do from the start.
“I’m very happy. We gave the happiness the people deserved. It’s a big result against our rivals.”
The result gives Atletico renewed hope as they look to salvage their credentials as title contenders, while the scoreline will be a bitter pill to swallow for Xabi Alonso and his Real players as they know a Barcelona win against Real Sociedad on Sunday would see the Catalan club leapfrog them at the summit of LaLiga.
Atletico host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Los Blancos will be hoping to bounce back away to Kairat in the same competition.