Simeone targets Atletico revival as Mbappe and Yamal raise La Liga stakes

Diego Simeone says the pressure of managing Atletico Madrid has become increasingly difficult to تحمل after 15 years in charge, while highlighting the threat posed by Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal and declining to comment on Julian Alvarez’s situation.

The Argentine manager made the comments in an extended interview with French magazine France Football, excerpts of which were reported by L’Equipe. Simeone said remaining at one club for such a long period demanded constant renewal, including repeatedly rebuilding his squad around the qualities of new arrivals.

“I had to rebuild the team on many occasions, relying on the abilities of the players who joined us, and that is essential to remain at a club for many years,” he said.

Simeone also addressed the regular debate over his tactical approach. He said every manager ultimately shared the same objective – winning – while questioning whether coaches associated with attacking football would maintain the same philosophy when managing other teams and conceding more goals.

The 56-year-old, known as “El Cholo”, acknowledged that the weight of expectation had grown significantly during his time in Madrid.

“All this weight that I feel now after 15 years, I did not feel it in the first three or four seasons,” he said.

“I was free and relaxed; winning was enjoyable, whereas today it is simply a relief. We suffer because we have taken the club to a place where we are more exposed and under huge pressure.”

Simeone said Atletico must operate with almost complete concentration to compete in Spain, unlike Real Madrid and Barcelona, who can rely on individual brilliance to decide matches.

“They need just one goal to win, because Mbappe or Lamine Yamal can suddenly appear and score,” he said. “It is not enough for us to give everything to win, because Barcelona and Real Madrid are rarely below their level at the same time.”

Despite Alvarez becoming one of Atletico’s most prominent players, Simeone made no reference to reports concerning his fellow Argentine and negotiations involving Barcelona. Instead, he focused on defensive solidity, the burden of expectation and the challenge posed by the two dominant clubs in Spanish football.

His silence appeared deliberate, leaving unanswered questions about Alvarez’s adaptation to Atletico’s style, his expected role in the new season and the possibility of a move to one of the club’s rivals.

Simeone demands defensive improvement

As Atletico prepare for the new campaign, Simeone sought to reassure supporters by expressing confidence in the club’s hierarchy and its work in the transfer market.

“The club is making great efforts, and there is still time until 1 September,” he said.

“I trust that the Madrid club’s leadership will provide me with the tools needed to compete, as it has always done.”

Simeone identified a return to defensive strength as his main sporting priority after what he described as a serious decline last season, particularly in the Champions League.

“I want us to recover the defensive solidity that we have lost, because last season, especially in the Champions League, we were extremely poor defensively,” he said.

“We reached the semi-finals, so imagine how we had to attack. Nobody appreciates that because we are Atletico Madrid.”

He also called on his midfield players to contribute more goals.

Simeone spoke warmly about his relationship with Antoine Griezmann, describing the forward as both an exceptional player and a close family friend.

“I am very lucky. We have built a wonderful relationship; my daughters are friends with his sons. I had the opportunity to work with a genius, and I feel deeply moved when I talk about him,” he said.

The Atletico manager said his motivation for continuing was not to surpass the longevity records of Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson. Instead, he pointed to energy and humility as the qualities that had allowed him to remain in the job.

Simeone also said he wanted to reduce the gap between Atletico’s league titles. Before his arrival in 2011, the club had gone 18 years without winning La Liga; the distance between their titles in 2014 and 2021 was reduced to seven years.