Atletico Madrid are a team renowned for their brutal yet efficient defending.

Under the charismatic leadership of Diego Simeone, Atletico have developed into a true European heavyweight and one of the toughest teams to play against.

His defence and midfield work in tandem perfectly, while his array of talented strikers and playmakers pick you off on the counter.

It's a system which has seen Atletico win La Liga, the Europa League and reach two Champions League finals under Simeone's rule.

Not bad in an era dominated by the financial muscle of city rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.

And last night in Atletico's 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow, Simeone's brand of organised chaos was perhaps as evident as it has ever been in front of the television cameras.

The Russian side attempted to catch Atletico on the counter, but within seconds they were completely surrounded by eight of Simeone's soldiers.

Pragmatism can be beautiful sometimes.

ATLETICO'S EIGHT-MAN ARMY

You could never say those players are not giving their all for the manager.

Many feared for Atletico's plight in 2019/20 after they were forced into selling a number of key players in the summer.

Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis and Rodri all departed the club after playing integral roles in Atletico's 2018/19 season.

However, new additions Kieran Trippier, Renan Lodi, Mario Hermoso, Hector Herrera and Joao Felix - who scored again versus Lokomotiv - have all started the campaign brilliantly.

Then you have the brilliant Thomas Partey, who looks a man reborn filling the void left behind by Rodri.

Oh and they also have the gargantuan figure of Jan Oblak in goal, with the Slovenian looking pretty much unbeatable right now.

Atletico are going to be a force to be reckoned with in Europe once again this season.