Diego Simeone: Atlético laboured before executing Eibar gameplan | OneFootball

Diego Simeone said he understands why it took his Atlético Madrid side time to get going in Sunday’s win over Eibar.

The LaLiga leaders stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis last weekend, and initially struggled to break down the stubborn Azulgranas at the Wanda Metropolitano.

But Ángel Correa was able to score twice shortly before half time, with Yannick Carrasco and Marcos Llorente rounding off the scoring after the break.

“It is clear that we came from a draw against Betis, where during the first half we were able to do more to win it and in the end also to bring the result, although Betis also had attacks,” Simeone told his post-match press conference, per Diario AS.

“We are in a period of resistance and they cost us the first 20 or 25 minutes, without being able to find the place we had talked about where to do damage with [Renan] Lodi and [Kieran] Trippier.

“When [Héctor] Herrera and Koke began to see a little better, the sides to ride where we could damage and it was a great game by Carrasco, a great game by Correa, which further validates what I think about the work, the effort, insisting and Llorente who continues growing as a footballer enormously.”

With Real Madrid surprisingly being held to a scoreless draw by Getafe, Atleti have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table.