Only Luis Aragones had ever won more La Liga matches in an Atletico Madrid dugout. On Saturday afternoon in Valencia, Diego Simeone pulled level.
A 2-0 win at Levante was the Argentine’s 344th league victory with Atletico, matching the mark the late Aragones set across his spells in charge. Simeone has needed 565 matches to get there; Aragones used 756.
Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Jon Ander Olasagasti tried to step in and nick an Alex Baena pass off the Spanish left-back but failed to connect, and Grimaldo ran into the penalty area and beat Mat Ryan at the near post from a narrow angle. Just past the hour, Giuliano Simeone made it 2-0, played in by Baena before using his first touch to sidestep Ryan and slide a left-footed finish into an empty net.
It was a seventh straight league win for Atletico and a tidy family footnote for the manager: the 23-year-old right-sided forward now has a goal to his name on the day his father tied a club legend.
Read also: Arsenal and Bayern Munich battle for €40m wonderkid who has never played a senior game
One point clear of Barcelona
The result lifted Atletico one point above Barcelona, who suffered their first league defeat of the season against Real Madrid last weekend and host Alaves later on Saturday. A win in that game would send Barcelona straight back on top.
The title race looks a genuine three-way fight between Atletico, Barcelona and Real Madrid for the first time in several seasons.
Simeone: “It belongs to my players”
Simeone has been in charge at Atletico since 2011 and has already won two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues and a Copa del Rey with the club.
He played down the individual nature of the record after the final whistle.
Read also: Brighton boss delivers unexpected reaction after historic victory over Manchester City
“I don’t feel it much as mine, but it belongs to my players, everyone who has been with me for so many years,” he told Into the Calderon, pointing to 15 years of staff, squads and board members who had been part of the run.
He also batted away any talk of a title charge, insisting the league was still long and that Atletico needed to improve “in many areas” despite the current form.
Bayern on Tuesday, Barcelona at the Metropolitano next
The schedule does not ease up. Atletico host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, then welcome Barcelona to the Metropolitano the following weekend in a fixture that could decide top spot before the winter break.
If Barcelona drop points against Alaves, Simeone’s side will still be above them when kick-off comes around.
Read also: Lamine Yamal’s third-place Ballon d’Or finish hides remarkable voting twist
Read also: Paris Masters director makes remarkable Novak Djokovic admission ahead of tournament
