Diego Simeone proud of improving Atletico Madrid in victory

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has claimed that his side were rewarded for a second-half improvement in their 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

Saul cancelled out Aymeric Laporte's opener just prior to the break, before Antoine Griezmann delivered the winner to move Atletico level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

"It was a very hard match, it's not easy when you start one down," Simeone, whose side have won their last eight games in all competitions, told reporters.

"In the second half we were much closer to the performance [we needed] to win the game.

"We knew that today [there] would be much direct play and it would be a hard match. We improved in the second half and deserved to win."

Atletico return to action against Reus Deportiu in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.