Atletico’s Diego Simeone – ‘It’s difficult to improve on the season’

Atletico Madrid supervisor Diego Simeone has informed the press that it will likely be tough for his facet to enhance on their efficiency subsequent season, stating that within the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, all that is still is to win the competitions. As Los Colchoneros take inventory of their season, many are a disappointing finish to a season that seemed as if it could carry silverware for the primary time in 5 years.

With 4 video games to go, Atletico lie 5 factors off Villarreal in third place, and 10 factors forward of Actual Betis in fifth. Simeone was requested if his facet had motivation for the remainder of the season, and bought into a bigger dialogue concerning the season.

“In fact it’s extraordinarily necessary, it’s the membership’s main goal, similar to Barcelona’s and Actual Madrid’s: to be champions. Our objective is to attempt to get nearer to turning into champions in some unspecified time in the future. It’s a tough season to elucidate. On the one hand, we misplaced the Copa on penalties, on the opposite, we competed within the Champions League with an unimaginable quarter-final towards Barcelona, ​​giving our all after which some. It’s extremely tough to be so shut, and it makes you suppose you may nonetheless be there, regardless that it makes you indignant, upset, and annoyed.”

“However right now I really feel good. I ask myself, and I inform myself that we have now to be thankful for what’s been occurring to us these previous few years. I bear in mind the place we got here from, the place we at the moment are, and it’s been huge development for the membership. And the one strategy to permit ourselves to proceed having that hope and that new alternative like this yr’s is to maintain attempting, to maintain working… In these 14 years, we’ve been in 4 Champions League semi-finals and two finals, at all times there, in that place that appears far-off, however we’re not so far-off, in reality, nearer than we think about. However we have now to maintain engaged on every little thing.”

“If we work effectively in all areas, the staff will proceed to develop. The membership is now a lot greater than the staff, which is attempting to meet up with this glorious development. It helps us; we’re recognised worldwide, and it fills us with hope. Although there’s anger, frustration, and ache, I’m grateful to my gamers, to our followers for a way they’ve supported the staff all through this season, to the administration for giving us the chance to have good gamers, as a result of in any other case it’s unattainable, after which to the flexibility of the coaches and trainers to develop them, as a result of that is all concerning the gamers. We proceed in that pursuit, and after these two days of anger, we’ll preserve attempting and combating.”

🚨 Journalist: “The opposite day, Koke, on the verge of tears, hinted that he may very well be leaving.”

Diego Simeone: “Once I converse with him, I’ll clarify what I really feel, and he’ll inform me what’s on his thoughts.” pic.twitter.com/2JdcAZYFjd

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) Might 8, 2026

“It’s tough to enhance our season’ – Diego Simeone

“The gamers, a hundred percent the gamers. Wanting on the squad, that’s what excites me,” when requested about his personal motivation. Simeone then shocked the press by thanking them for his or her criticism, along with his efficiency as supervisor typically a divisive concern within the Spanish press.

“The gamers are very clear about the place they stand, and I thanked them for the extraordinary season by way of competitiveness. It’s clear we didn’t win something, however I thank the critics as a result of they’re mandatory; they make us enhance. Subsequent season, after what we did this one, it will likely be tough to repeat; to enhance, we have now to win the championship. It’s good that criticism exists; we’d like it, it’s a part of life. It’s not at all times constructive; typically it’s constructive, and typically it’s not, however we all know the place we’re, and so long as I’m right here, we’re going to compete.”

Simeone on fan response to Champions League

It is going to be the primary time the Metropolitano sees their gamers after they face Celta Vigo on Saturday at 18:30 CEST. Simeone didn’t ask the followers for any response specifically.

“We’ll be reunited with our followers, and so they’ll determine whether or not they’re with the staff or not. The followers need to win, and both situation is comprehensible. We’ve to maintain working, give our all, ensure everybody sees we’re giving every little thing, after which we have now to simply accept it. That’s what life is all about: acceptance. It’s robust when it’s towards you; it’s simpler to inform another person, nevertheless it’s more durable when it occurs to you. Generally issues occur the best way God desires, not the best way we wish them to. And typically God’s plan is a lot better than ours.”

Los Colchoneros did not compete within the title race this season, however went a lot additional than anticipated within the Champions League. Reaching the Copa del Rey remaining is little doubt a great achievement, however a lingering disappointment stays after they did not win it as favourites towards Actual Sociedad. It additionally appears to be like set to be one other summer time of flux on the membership, with 16 gamers having arrived up to now two summers.