Diego Simeone Will Not Escape Against Criticism After Atletico Madrid's Bad Performance

Diego Simeone will face criticism regarding Atletico Madrid's poor performance (Instagram/@athleticodemadrid).

JAKARTA - Diego Simeone admits that there is no justification for Atletico Madrid's poor start in La Liga, which has left the team with just two points from the opening three games of the season.

Atletico have brought in eight new players this summer - including Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso, and Thiago Almada - to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title.

However, the poor start of the season left them 1-2 behind Espanyol and a 1-1 draw against Elche and Alaves who had just been promoted. As a result, they trailed seven points from leaders Real Madrid.

Simeone insists that he will not hide from criticism after feeling uncomfortable at Atletico after 14 years of duty.

"In difficult times, you can't hide. I didn't hide. Last year, we were 10 points behind Barcelona, then in December we were in first place."

"We accept criticism, it's natural. We haven't got the points we should. However, the important thing is to find a team and improve performance every day.

"It's not all bad, I guarantee. However, I don't want to justify the two points we have, there is no justification."

"I live with points. I'd rather play poorly and get points. This time, we didn't play that bad, but we did a little points," Simeone said on COPE radio.

Simeone has led Atletico to two league titles (2014 and 2021), two Europa League trophies (2012 and 2018), and lost in two Champions League finals (2014 and 2016).

Last season they topped the La Liga standings in December 2024, before finally slumping and finishing third. Meanwhile, Atletico were eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

"Previously we couldn't talk about this, now we can. We can dream. However, reality is true, we can't lie to anyone."

"Raphinha is Raphinha, Lamine is Lamine, Lewandowski is Lewandowski. Mbappe is Mbappe, Vinicius is Vinicius."

"We have won against Barcelona while there were still (Lionel) Messi and Real Madrid when defended by Cristiano (Ronaldo)."

"If we give 110 percent, we can do it. When we give 80 percent, we finish third," said Simeone, when asked about the difficulty of competing with the two giants.

When La Liga returns this weekend after the international break, Atletico will face a difficult match, which is to host Villarreal who are in third place.

While their competitor, Real Madrid will travel to Real Sociedad and Barcelona will face Valencia.

"I knew we had to win (trophy). I knew it four years ago (when they won the league)."

"If Atletico want to continue to develop, we have to win again. We won in 1996, 2014, 2021. We have to win again. The third finish doesn't make me happy," said the Argentine coach.