Atletico is becoming more and more of a big team. They are saving their best for last and, more importantly, they are winning games that previously eluded them. They have only just started the season and they have already shown it.
"The games, until the referee blows the final whistle," was Simeone's speech after the last-minute win at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, with a brace from Luis Suarez.
A positive trend for getting points in games that are complicated but which, at the same time, should worry Cholo, because the away games that Atletico used to win were won on the basis of a strong attacking start and greater defensive solidity. That has changed.
Against Villarreal, there were moments in the match when Atletico fell asleep and allowed Villarreal to react. Mandi's own goal gave the Madrid side a point.
In the visits to Espanyol and Getafe, Atletico gave away an hour of the game and then got their act together in the last quarter of the game to come back in much the same way. On Catalan soil, thanks to goals from Carrasco and Lemar. They are used to suffering until the end... to win.