Miranda: Atletico knows how and when to suffer

Atletico Madrid defender Miranda claimed after Friday night's nailbiting 2-0 win over Elche that the Liga leaders know how and when to "suffer".

The Rojiblancos looked set to squander their chance to move six points clear at the top of the Primera Division when David Villa missed a penalty shortly after halftime in a game at the Vicente Calderon in which the visitors looked more than capable of causing an upset.

However, Atletico finally made the breakthrough when Miranda headed home a Jose Sosa corner with 18 minutes to go and Diego Costa's injury-time penalty belatedly allowed the home fans to relax and start looking forward to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Chelsea.

"This was an important win," the Brazilian center half told Canal+. "The team was good and we must carry on like this.

"We've got four finals left now and the team knows how to suffer, when we have to suffer.

"Now, though, we must rest and think about the game against Chelsea."

Miranda, who scored the winner in last year's Copa del Rey final win over city rival Real, revealed that his goal from Sosa's corner was a rehearsed routine.

"It's a move we've trained for, one we've worked on a lot," the defender claimed. "We have good takers and plenty of quality players at set pieces."