Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes that Atletico Madrid are contenders for the La Liga title this season.

Atletico are level on points with Barca at the top of the table having won all eight league matches this season, including a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm convinced that after the great match they played at Madrid, which surprised me, they will not let up. They don't have our style of play but are solid in defence, break well on the counter-attack and have Diego Costa," Pique told La Vanguardia.

"They know their own game and that is vital for any team. We hope to be alongside them in the fight and in two or three months we will have a better idea."

Atletico finished third last season.