Diego Simeone delighted with Koke return

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has praised Koke for the Spaniard's performance in Saturday's 2-0 win at Real Sociedad.

The midfielder had been out of action since last month with a thigh problem, but returned at the weekend as Atletico collected all three points from their trip to the Anoeta.

Simeone has said that the Spanish international gives his team 'better balance in both defence and attack'.

"Koke's very important to this team because he provides balance to our defence and attack. He did important work and, even better, ended the game well," Simeone told reporters.

Koke set up Antoine Griezmann for Atletico's first of the match in the ninth minute, before Yannick Ferreira Carrasco made it two late on.