Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone said his side have gradually improved following the 2-0 win over Nacional in the final game of their South American tour.
Two second-half goals from Leo Baptistao gave Atleti victory against their Uruguayan opponents in front of a 48,000 crowd in Montevideo’s legendary Estadio Centenario, the former Rayo Vallecano striker on the mark immediately after half-time and nine minutes before the final whistle.
Los Rojiblancos’ record on this stage of their pre-season preparations is one defeat, against Estudiantes, and two wins over Sporting Cristal and Nacional, and Simeone said afterwards he believed his players had improved gradually as the tour wore on.
“We’ve got better and better in South America,” he told reporters post-match.
“In the first game against Estudiantes we performed at a tempo we are not accustomed to, without our usual intensity, and we didn’t have a good match. Without intensity we are a normal team.
“In Peru the players did well and it was our best game, something close to what we want, whilst against Nacional in the first half we were slow. After the break we were much better and had much more purpose.
“The atmosphere in the stands was also great, which is what Uruguayan football is all about.”