Diego Simeone hails Atletico Madrid's game management

Madrid, Aug 28: Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has heaped praise on his team following Sunday's 5-1 win at Las Palmas in La Liga.

Atletico started the match off the back of a disillusioning 2-2 draw with newly promoted Girona, but place their first three points of the season on the board due to an astounding performance in Gran Canaria.

Simeone rolled out five improvements to the side which drew the match last week at Girona.

Following a frustrating demonstrating a week ago, Simeone dropped Captain Gabi, right back Juanfran and striker Fernando Torres, with Antoine Griezmann was unavailable due to suspension. But keeping the faith in his method, his side were 2-0 up inside five minutes because of a flawless display from Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco.

Atletico eventually won the match 5-1 and Koke scored twice in the win, while Thomas, Angel Correa and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco were additionally on the scoresheet, and after the match, Simeone hailed his side for demonstrating the perfect game management.

However, the Argentine manager did not single out any individual name and paid tribute to his team for such amazing display.

"To go 2-0 up in five minutes is not easy," Simeone said. "[Although] I always imagine the best, I will not lie. We were very committed from the start, went looking for the game.

"Las Palmas reacted well to that blow, but we saw how we could do them damage, taking advantage of the spaces which always open up at two goals ahead.

"The players were very effective on the pitch and played very well as a team," Simeone said. "They reacted well to the changes of the system during the game, which speaks well of the players.

"They got back to 2-1, and could have been 4-2 with the penalty. The final result is 5-1, but there were different stages in the game. If we had not worked as we had, and run as we did, the result would have been different for sure."

Atletico currently sit fourth in the table and will play Valencia away next after the International break.