Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin has admitted that "it's not easy" to lead from the front in La Liga.
The capital outfit's 4-0 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend moved them to the top of the table for the first time in 18 years.
"I've never been the sole leader, it's good. It's not easy to play at the top and you don't want to lose your spot," he told Cadena COPE.
"Going on to the field we push ourselves to the physical, mental limit and don't enjoy it. The pressure to win takes its toll. Physically, we're holding up well.
"We're playing at a very high level. We're here and the future looks bright."
Atletico are in Copa del Rey semi-final action against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.