Diego Simeone Photo: AP Diego Simeone Photo: AP Diego Simeone insisted Atletico Madrid must continue to "take it one game at a time"22win, despite moving level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona. (More Football News)
Los Rojiblancos leapfrogged Real Madrid into second place after Alexander Sorloth's header sealed a 1-0 victory over Getafe.
Atleti are flying high and have now won each of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Next up for Atletico is a blockbuster showdown next weekend with Barca, who could restore their three-point buffer at the summit with victory over Leganes later on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Simeone and his players are not getting carried away.
"We have to take it one game at a time, there is no way to see our present without working and trying to keep improving. We have to rest before facing Barcelona next," he told reporters during his post-match press conference.
"I'm reiterative, I'm boring, I'm not going to change. Until the last day, it will be one game at a time. If we don't look at it that way, there will be no light.
Two substitutes combined for Atletico's winner with Sorloth nodding in from Nahuel Molina's 69th-minute cross, and Simeone was pleased to see his players making a positive impact from the bench.
Starting the tournament as clear favourites, Paris Olympics bronze-medallists India haven't disappointed so far, beating hosts China 3-0, Japan 5-1, trouncing Malaysia 8-1 before registering a 3-1 victory against Korea in their last match.
These two teams are meeting for the first time in the tournament in pool stage.
slotscalendar"I always tell them that I imagine the matches with different situations, imagining what can happen and having answers," he added. "We have answers, but it all depends on the commitment of the players.
Last 11 games: 11 wins pic.twitter.com/MRS6JMpNG9
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 15, 2024"It's easy to say22win, but it's very difficult how the players represent it when they go on the pitch. It makes me very happy to see the attitude I saw today."