Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez has talked up his side’s La Liga title chances ahead of next week’s showdown against former club Barcelona, saying his side’s strong start to the campaign could give them an edge.
Atletico have won five of their first seven games and are the only unbeaten side in the top flight, while champions Real Madrid and Barca have already lost two games each.
Real Sociedad are top of the standings with 20 points while Atletico are third on 17 but have two games in hand. Real Madrid are fourth, while Barca are eighth.
“It looks like being a very close league, and whoever makes the fewest mistakes from the start could win it,” Suarez said in an interview with Marca on Monday.
“From being at Barcelona I know if you start the season badly and drop points it’s very hard to catch up with the leaders. If you want to win the league you have to be solid and convincing from the start. Suarez has helped lead Atletico’s early charge with five goals since switching from Barca on a free transfer in September.