Simeone backs resilience to settle La Liga race as referees prepare for media debut

Diego Simeone says the La Liga title will be won by the team that copes best with adversity rather than simply the one that plays the best football.

The Atletico Madrid manager was speaking on Friday, a day before his side’s important meeting with Levante. The match could have a significant impact on the title race: a Levante victory would hinder Atletico’s pursuit of Barcelona, while a win for Simeone’s team would intensify the battle at the top of the table.

Simeone said maintaining peak performance throughout a season would depend on managing his squad effectively.

“Reaching the highest level of performance in every match is extremely complicated,” he said. “To achieve that, we have to manage our energy, our substitutions and the way we motivate the players.”

He added: “We need to produce a strong performance against a team that plays well at home and has a great spirit. We have to control the match and cause them problems.”

The fixture between Levante and Atletico Madrid is scheduled for 31 October 2026, with Atletico due to face Barcelona on 08 November 2026. Simeone insisted he would continue to focus on one match at a time rather than become distracted by the early league standings.

Simeone’s definition of a title challenger

The Argentine began his news conference by offering his condolences following the tragic Orda train accident.

“It is a difficult time, and we stand alongside the families of the victims,” he said. “It is a complicated moment that demands great respect from us, and we hope things improve in the future.”

Atletico are two points behind the leaders in the title race. Simeone said the ability to withstand difficult periods would be decisive.

“We will go through good times, bad times and average times, because that is life,” he said. “The one who can get through the difficult moments is the one who will compete for the title.”

He also addressed a congested schedule that will see Atletico play Barcelona twice in less than a month after league fixtures were rearranged because of the Spanish Super Cup in February.

“This happens every year,” Simeone said. “The matches are brought forward because of the Super Cup. I do not see it as complicated; it is simply a situation caused by the crowded fixture list.”

Simeone praised Morten Hjulmand for his attitude and competition for places alongside Koke, Barrios and Cardoso, while also noting the performances of Mendoza and Obed.

“He works extremely hard and competes with players such as Koke, Barrios and Cardoso, who are performing very well,” Simeone said. “Mendoza and Obed are also playing well. Hjulmand has the right character to achieve what he wants.”

He described Arnau as a player working with “great enthusiasm”, adding that moving from his previous level to his current one had not been easy.

Simeone also backed Lookman despite the player not yet being at his best. “We have great confidence in him,” he said. “We simply have to trust his development.”

The manager ended the news conference with a smile when asked about the decision to allow referees to speak to the media after matches, which will begin for the first time after Atletico’s game against Levante.

“I hope they speak positively about me and that everything goes well,” he said.