News Focus
- Atletico manager reflects on painful near-misses in Copa del Rey and Champions League
- Club holds third place in La Liga with four matches left this term
- Captain Koke suggests possible summer exit amid emotional scenes
- Simeone thanks media critics and praises 14 years of squad growth
- Los Colchoneros prepare for Celta Vigo clash at Metropolitano
Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid will find it very difficult to improve on this season. The manager believes his team performed at a high level even though they did not win any trophies.
Atletico lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad. They also reached the Champions League quarter-finals but lost to Barcelona. Simeone thinks these results show his team can compete with the best.
“It is hard to explain this season,” said Simeone. “We lost the Copa on penalties. We played an incredible quarter-final against Barcelona in the Champions League. We gave everything.”
The team is currently third in La Liga. They are five points behind Villarreal with four games left. They are ten points ahead of Real Betis in fifth place.
Simeone has been manager for 14 years. During this time, Atletico reached four Champions League semi-finals and two finals. He says this shows the club has grown enormously.
“We must be grateful for what we have achieved,” he added. “The club is much bigger now. We are recognised worldwide. I thank my players, our fans, and the management for their support.”
Captain Koke may leave the club. He looked emotional when speaking to the press recently. Simeone said he will talk to Koke soon. “I will tell him what I feel, and he will tell me what he thinks,” the manager explained.
Simeone also thanked journalists for their criticism this season. He said negative feedback helps the team improve. “Next season will be difficult to repeat,” he admitted. “To improve, we must win the championship. But criticism is necessary. It makes us better.”
Atletico will play Celta Vigo at the Metropolitano on Saturday. The match starts at 18:30 CEST. Simeone did not ask fans for special support. He said they will decide if they want to cheer for the team after the recent disappointments.
The club will be busy this summer. Sixteen players joined in the last two years, and more changes are expected in the next transfer window.