Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone could not hide the enthusiasm brought on by Saturday's 1-0 win over Barcelona, though he dismissed the idea that he can see similarities with his 2013-14 title-winning team.
Los Colchoneros produced a solid display at the Wanda Metropolitano to defeat Ronald Koeman's misfiring Barca and go up to second in La Liga, only behind Real Sociedad – who have played a game more – by virtue of scoring two goals fewer.
That victory extended Atletico's unbeaten run to 24 games in La Liga and opened up a nine-point gap between themselves and Barca.