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

“If we work well in all areas, the team will continue to grow. The club is now much bigger than the team, which is trying to catch up with this wonderful growth. It helps us; we are recognised worldwide, and it fills us with hope. Even though there is anger, frustration, and pain, I am grateful to my players, to our fans for how they have supported the team throughout this season, to the management for giving us the opportunity to have good players, because otherwise it’s impossible, and then to the ability of the coaches and trainers to develop them, because this is all about the players. We continue in that pursuit, and after these two days of anger, we will keep trying and fighting.”

“It’s difficult to improve our season’ – Diego Simeone

“The players, one hundred percent the players. Looking at the squad, that’s what excites me,” when asked about his own motivation. Simeone then surprised the press by thanking them for their criticism, with his performance as manager often a divisive issue in the Spanish press.

“The players are very clear about where they stand, and I thanked them for the extraordinary season in terms of competitiveness. It’s clear we didn’t win anything, but I thank the critics because they are necessary; they make us improve. Next season, after what we did this one, it will be difficult to repeat; to improve, we have to win the championship. It’s good that criticism exists; we need it, it’s part of life. It’s not always positive; sometimes it’s constructive, and sometimes it’s not, but we know where we are, and as long as I’m here, we’re going to compete.”

Simeone on fan reaction to Champions League

It will be the first time the Metropolitano sees their players when they face Celta Vigo on Saturday at 18:30 CEST. Simeone did not ask the fans for any response in particular.

“We’ll be reunited with our fans, and they’ll decide whether they’re with the team or not. The fans want to win, and either scenario is understandable. We have to keep working, give our all, make sure everyone sees we’re giving everything, and then we have to accept it. That’s what life is all about: acceptance. It’s tough when it’s against you; it’s easier to tell someone else, but it’s harder when it happens to you. Sometimes things happen the way God wants, not the way we want them to. And sometimes God’s plan is much better than ours.”

Los Colchoneros failed to compete in the title race this season, but went much further than expected in the Champions League. Reaching the Copa del Rey final is no doubt a good achievement, but a lingering disappointment remains after they failed to win it as favourites against Real Sociedad. It also looks set to be another summer of flux at the club, with 16 players having arrived in the past two summers.