Atletico Madrid secured a high-scoring 4-2 victory over bottom-of-the-table Valladolid in the 31st week of La Liga. Diego Simeone’s squad continues their winning streak, keeping hopes alive to reclaim second place from Real Madrid in the coming weeks.

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid’s manager, said in the post-match press conference: “We know there are no easy matches, and you can’t control the opponent at all times—today proved that. Football doesn’t wait for you, but thanks to the collective effort of the team, we responded strongly.”

Rodrigo Riquelme
As you see him, dynamic, motivated, and focused on the team’s needs. He started the season well, played less afterward, and now he’s back because he delivers what the team requires.

Julian Alvarez
He’s having an outstanding season, and we were looking for a player like him. Against Sevilla and today, he carried the team’s responsibility. We need him. He has scored 14 league goals, but we remind him that Lewandowski has scored many more.

Conceding Two Goals
This happened against Sevilla as well. Today, a penalty and a set-piece goal occurred, but the important thing is the team’s reaction. After the second goal, we slowed the game down, which is better for a defending team.

Julian Simeone
I didn’t expect this level of performance. Yes, he could help us, but honestly, he’s having a very strong season. No one has gifted him anything, and he knows better than anyone that no one will because he knows me well.

Antoine Griezmann
He’s not in his best form. He has accustomed us to his goals and assists, but the coach still sends him out because he believes in him, and in these seven games, we need our best on the field.