Diego Simeone has warned Atletico Madrid's domestic and European rivals that the "team keeps getting better" after an emphatic 4-1 win over Alaves on Saturday night extended their La Liga winning run to six games.
Joao Felix and substitute Luiz Suarez both scored twice as the Spanish champions thrashed their bottom-placed opponents as Atletico moved level on 57 points with Sevilla in second, who face fourth-placed Barcelona on Sunday. Real Madrid lead the standings with 69 points from 30 games.
Felix opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a close-range header from a Sime Vrsaljko cross, but Atletico lost focus and allowed Alaves to score the equaliser with a Gonzalo Escalante header in the 63rd minute.
After Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha was fouled inside the area, Suarez scored from the spot to put Atletico back in front, with Felix extending their lead in the 82nd minute.
An on-fire Cunha, making his comeback after being out injured for several weeks, then produced a brilliant through pass to Suarez and the Uruguayan completed an emphatic win for Atletico.
"The team keeps getting better, although we relaxed after the break and that is dangerous," Simeone said as Atletico switch their attention to Tuesday's Uefa Champions League quarter-final first leg at Manchester City.
"Good thing is that we recovered quickly and managed to score after they tied the match. It's good to keep our momentum going with the final stretch of the season already here and the Champions League quarter-finals upon us."
Simeone praised Cunha's return from injury, saying the Brazilian gave Atletico "the spark they needed" and explained that the 35-year-old Suarez must be managed carefully.
"I'm not used to be in the bench, it's all new for me but I'm a professional," Suarez said. "The coach has a tough job to do because we have many quality players in Antoine Griezmann, Felix, Cunha, Angel Correa ... it's a healthy competition inside the locker room and I'm here to help when needed."
Alaves remain on 22 points, five points from the safety zone.
