'I'm not happy, the slow start hurts' - Atletico Madrid manager Simeone laments teams poor form

This season, Atletico Madrid have struggled in their first three games in the La Liga, leaving the manager in a tough spot.

They have managed only one win and drawn two in their first three games of the season and are currently sitting in 17th position in the table.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was a guest on the show El Partidazo de Cope, via Sportal, where he spoke at length on various topics, including the team's slow start to the season, the rivalry with Real Madrid and Barcelona, and his championship ambitions.

“We are going through a difficult period, which every team experiences during a season. However, it's happening to us now, and we shouldn't hide from it. Last year, we were 10 points behind Barcelona, but by December, we were leading the league. Currently, we have few points, and we accept the criticism, which is fair because we haven't accumulated the points we're capable of.

"The most important thing, however, is to find our usual level and improve. It might seem like everything is bad, but I don't think that's the case. I don't want to make excuses for having only two out of a possible nine points, because there is no excuse. I live for points, and I'd rather play poorly and accumulate them. Right now, we're not playing that badly, but we have too few points.”

We always have title expectations. However, at the moment, it wouldn't be good for the people at Atletico because we need to focus on the team's development. But, of course, I want to win titles. Currently, I like Barcelona the most because they attack well, they have verticality, and their wingers are crucial.

"They have a great team and play like one. The best coaches are those who bring out the best version of every player. How would they play at Barcelona under me? I'm not there, and we're not playing that badly. The best thing that can happen to a team like ours is to utilize the characteristics of our players.”

Am I a defensive coach? I simply consider myself a coach. The topic of whether I'm defensive is boring. What is that based on? A team can defend with the ball for 80 minutes and attack three times. Is that offensive or defensive? Real Madrid is different from Barcelona, but they win in the same way.

"Yes, I'm devastated by this start to the season. I'm a human being, and I have feelings and emotions, so it hurts. The responsibility is growing, and I feel the immense faith people have in us. So, this period is tough for us.

"Do I read the criticism? I'm at a stage where I read almost nothing. However, at the moment, the negative things said about us are fair. The reality is that I need to improve the team. If the criticism is football-related, I understand it and I share it.”

What we've achieved over the past 14 years is thanks to the legacy of Gabi, Godín, Miranda… Those who worked their backsides off and made it possible for us to compete with the two giants and be enthusiastic. But reality is reality, and we shouldn't lie to people.

"Other teams have Raphinha, Lamine, Lewandowski, Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham… Of course, we compete with them, and we will continue to do so. We won when Messi was at Barcelona and Cristiano was at Real Madrid. If we give 110%, we can, but if we only give 80% – no.”

"What we've achieved over the past 14 years is thanks to the legacy of Gabi, Godín, Miranda… Those who worked their backsides off and made it possible for us to compete with the two giants and be enthusiastic. But reality is reality and we shouldn't lie to people.

"Other teams have Raphinha, Lamine, Lewandowski, Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham… Of course, we compete with them, and we will continue to do so. We won when Messi was at Barcelona and Cristiano was at Real Madrid. If we give 110%, we can, but if we only give 80% – no.”

I know we have to become champions. I've been aware of this for four years. If Atletico wants to continue to develop and improve at both club and team levels, we must triumph again. We've done it in 1996, 2014, 2021, and now it's time to be champions again. I try not to get comfortable, not to relax, not to think that third place is enough for me, because it's not.

"No, I'm not happy to be third, but for the club, it's very important to be third, and I am a man of the club. When I arrived, I was happy because we were winning, and now it's a relief for me,” commented Simeone.