Diego Simeone has insisted Atletico Madrid remain in the fight for the Primera Division title after coming from behind to beat Espanyol 3-1.
The Rojiblancos are now just three points behind leaders Barcelona after the Catalans lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad and, although speaking before the match at Anoeta had finished, Simeone gave an optimistic message after goals from Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann and Koke saw off Espanyol, who had taken the lead through Pape Diop.
"This win gives us enthusiasm," Simeone told a news conference. "The first goal could have weakened us but the opposite happened. We kept persevering in search of the victory. The second half was very complete. We were dominant and that comes down to how we played. An important win of this magnitude makes us enthusiastic."
"I was always taught that you should insist and believe in what you do," added Simeone.
"Things happen when you least expect them to and we are giving everything we have. We're intense, persistent and we keep on fighting."
Emboldened by their comeback against Espanyol, Simeone was also optimistic about Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg with Barcelona, although he will be without the in-form Torres, who has scored in each of his last three games but is suspended against Barcelona after getting sent off in the first leg.
"A teammate will come in for him on Wednesday and will play with all the determination and hope that the game requires. Torres is persistent and everything he is achieving at the moment is to his credit."
Simeone also praised Griezmann, who grabbed his 20th league goal of the campaign, saying: "He is in full flight. He's fantastic and we really love him."
Koke meanwhile said the victory would embolden Atletico in their second leg clash with Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.
"It was a very important victory for Wednesday, the Calderon will be buzzing," he told Canal Plus.
"I'm really happy with the result and for the work the team did. We began with a big setback but we knew how to respond, we went forward and managed to put pressure on Barcelona.
"We are up for it. The other day in Barcelona we couldn't win due to circumstances but we believe we can turn it around."