'I don't see this as mine alone' – Simeone shares historic LaLiga record

Diego Simeone matched Luis Aragonés's LaLiga record for victories as Atlético Madrid beat Levante 2-0, but the veteran coach stressed that it was the product of a collective effort over the last 15 years.

Simeone secured his 344th LaLiga win in charge of Atlético Madrid to share the distinction of being the coach with the most victories in the league's history.

Aragonés reached that figure over 756 matches with several clubs, including his spells at Atlético, while Simeone needed 565 games, all of them with Atlético Madrid, to achieve the feat (344 wins, 123 draws, 98 defeats).

Atlético, who sealed the win through goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Giuliano Simeone, moved provisionally to the top of LaLiga until Barcelona beat Alavés 6-1.

Asked how he felt about equalling Aragonés's record, Simeone said the achievement was not his alone:

"I don't feel this belongs only to me. I have to share it," said the Argentine coach, who went on:

"I have to go back to the moment when Miguel Ángel Gil [CEO] believed in me, when he thought of me and trusted me as a coach who did not yet have much experience in Europe. Without the opportunity and the support he gave me, we would not have reached this point.

Not to mention the people who have been part of my coaching staff all these years, the work over these 14 years and the endless gratitude I feel towards my players. Without them this would have been impossible; we could not have done it without sharing their commitment, their humility and their persistence in playing for an idea and following a plan. I have always had many people beside me who supported me and strengthened the ground I stand on.

Before every match begins, I give thanks, because spending 15 years at one club is never easy. Building everything from scratch is not easy; I am grateful to Miguel Ángel, to club president Enrique Cerezo, to the players, to the coaching staff who accompany me and to my current team. Without any of them, I could not have reached this point."

Atlético Madrid won their seventh consecutive LaLiga match, putting together the longest active winning streak in Europe's top five leagues.

Reflecting on the match itself, Simeone said: "The game started physical and difficult. We knew they would start well. Jan Oblak made a very good save, and then we began to press better and to understand where we could hurt the opponent. Morten Hjulmand's disallowed goal was a sign of exactly what we were looking for.

Grimaldo's goal came from understanding the ways to win the game. I think we produced a great performance in the second half. Anyone who watches our training sessions can tell you how much we work on those transition attacks against a team like Levante. The move for the second goal was outstanding; Álex Baena's ability to spot Giuliano's run and the finish were tremendous. After the second goal we had to defend. Robin Le Normand, Alexander Sørloth, Jonathan David and Ademola Lookman came on and did very well. We need everyone."