Atletico Madrid: Why they can win European title but not La

[grigor]

When Atletico Madrid thrashed Austria Vienna 4-0 on Wednesday to win their Champions League group with two games to spare, it was their 15th victory in 18 outings so far this season.

In addition to their dominant European form, the Spanish capital's lesser lights are also challenging strongly at the top of La Liga, currently positioned only one point behind Barcelona - and five clear of more glamorous neighbours Real Madrid - heading into this weekend's trip to Villarreal.

Furthermore, Los Rojiblancos are also the reigning Spanish cup holders, having defeated Real 2-1 thanks to an extra-time goal by Brazilian defender Miranda in May's thrilling Copa del Rey final at the Bernabeu.

Remarkably, that was their first triumph against Real since 1999, but they soon proved it was no fluke by deservedly winning again at the Bernabeu, this time in La Liga, with a solitary strike from Diego Costa in September.

Despite their impressive string of successes, however, Atletico's intense and eloquent manager Diego Simeone has repeatedly downplayed their chances of sustaining a title challenge, consistently asserting that La Liga is "boring" because Barca and Real's financial muscle will eventually allow them to pull clear.

Although his downbeat rhetoric is partly a ploy to minimise the expectation placed upon his team, Simeone is almost certainly right.

Atletico started last season in similarly strong form, until the onset of injuries, suspensions and general fatigue later in the campaign ensured they eventually finished 24 points behind title winners Barca.