Atleti looking to stay top at dangerous Leganes
Atletico Madrid's eight-match winning streak in LaLiga has lifted it to the top of the standings, but Diego Simeone insists his side is taking one match at a time.
Atletico won the league title in 2020-2021, and is currently one point above local rival Real Madrid after 19 matches, with 44 points.
Only once before has it won nine successive games in a single LaLiga season, between March and April 2014, also under Simeone.
With Madrid not playing until Monday (AEDT), Atletico could extend its lead at the top of the table to four points, but Simeone is not getting ahead of himself.
"More than anyone else we live match by match," Simeone said ahead of the trip to Leganes for Atletico's next league fixture.
"We have to enjoy this situation, knowing our victories and based on what happens, work in accordance with what is needed."
Newly-promoted Leganes sits 16th on the table and is unbeaten in three matches in all competitions. In midweek, it reached the quarter-finals of Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over Almeria.
The Borja Jimenez-led side stunned Barcelona last month, beating Hansi Flick's men 1-0 at their own stadium.
However, Simeone has not lost any of his nine meetings with Leganes in the Spanish top-flight, his fourth-best unbeaten record against a single team in the division.
"Tomorrow we play against an opponent who is strong at home.
"It will be a tough match. I can't imagine anything else," Simeone said.
Leganes almost held Atletico in October before two late goals secured Simeone's side a 3-1 win.
"I see a dangerous team, at home it took us a lot of effort to take the game forward," Simeone added.
"The coach works very well and that's something to be valued... they had an important win in the cup and victories always generate encouragement."
