Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone singled out his players' confidence in their own abilities and fighting spirit after they clinched the La Liga title with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona.
#INSERT type:image caption:Simeone said he had been confident Atletico could do what they needed to. END#
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Atletico went to the Camp Nou needing a point to win the title ahead of Barca, but lost key men Diego Costa and Arda Turan through injury before going behind to Alexis Sanchez's sensational strike.
But Simeone's side regrouped and hit back, equalising through Diego Godin's bullet header and then defending superbly to hold onto the result that brought them a first Liga trophy in 18 years.
The Colchoneros coach told the postmatch news conference that even when his team fell behind he had been confident they could do what was needed to take the title.
"We have a team that never stops fighting, battling," Simeone said. "Today we could make history at a club we all love a lot. The second half was impressive, the players respond in that epic way -- work, humility, knowing what they were doing.
"I told them at half-time that they were doing well. We knew we were strong and could take advantage of a set piece. From there another game began, in which we were much more comfortable. The team physically responded well. In no moment did I think the team was out of the match. They have a response to the difficulties -- the harder it is, the better they play."
Simeone said the 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao in late March had been the night his players had begun to believe they could edge out the more fancied Barca and Real Madrid for the title.
"For 19 years, Atletico could not fight for a league like we have this season," he explained. "But we always believed in the famous 'game by game.' We thought sincerely it would work for us. We won in Bilbao, Betis, Valencia, won at the Bernabeu, it has been an extraordinary season.
"The game in Bilbao was a key game. That marked the group, it showed the players themselves that we were on a good path. Today will be one of the most important days in Atletico's history."
Last season, Atletico went to Real Madrid's Bernabeu and won the Copa del Rey against the 'home' team -- and now they have come to the Camp Nou and won the title.
Simeone said each achievement was something special, adding: "That is something difficult, to come from behind and win the Copa del Rey in Bernabeu, then to come back from 1-0 down and win La Liga in the Nou Camp.
"I am sure these last two or three years, there are more and more Atletico fans in the world. This shows there are different ways to win. All ways to play are good. The characteristics of players are always the most important thing."
Simeone said he appreciate how Barcelona's players, coaches and fans had respectfully congratulated Atleti.
"This is one of the nicest things you can take from football," he added. "Barcelona's fans applauded and the coaches and players came to congratulate us. That was the sign of great team."
Simeone brought all his coaching staff, including assistant coach German 'Mono' Burgos and physical preparation specialist Oscar 'El Profe' Ortega into the Camp Nou press room with him.
"This is a moment to be with my people," he explained. "The people you do not see on TV, but who work the same or much more. They make the coach better. That is why I wanted them to be here."
The Argentine was less forthcoming when asked whether injured pair Turan and Costa would be available for Saturday's Champions League final against Madrid in Lisbon.
"I do not know," he said. "Arda got a hard blow, I cannot talk about Diego. The doctors will say more tomorrow."
Asked how he would be able to prepare his players for that game, Simeone said: "El Profe will have to stay up all night working on a plan. We will keep working and find a way of responding, as we always do."