Atletico Madrid News
Diego Simeone has no intention to leave Atletico Madrid in the summer
According to MARCA, Diego Simeone has no intention to leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The Argentine tactician has been in charge of the team for over a decade now and has achieved great things during his time at the Spanish capital club.
However, things have not gone according to plans for Simeone and Atleti in the current season.
Indeed, the Rojiblancos are already pretty much out of the La Liga title race while they have also crashed out of Europe. It has brought Simeone under scrutiny, with there being a feeling that his time in charge of Atletico Madrid could be drawing to a close.
Reports even suggested that the manager had already informed CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin that he wants to leave in the summer.
But, as per MARCA, there is no truth to these speculations as Simeone has no intentions of leaving the Civitas Metropolitano before or at the end of the season.
The 52-year-old has a contract with Atletico Madrid until the summer of 2024. And, at the moment, neither he wants to leave nor the CEO is looking to force him out of the club.
Despite the dip this season, it must be noted that Simeone has won several titles during his time at Atletico Madrid and has also led them to ten consecutive UEFA Champions League qualifications.
Furthermore, it is also stated that Joao Felix’s contract extension before his loan exit to Chelsea has nothing to do with Simeone’s future.
It is no secret that things are not okay between Felix and Simeone, but the forward left Atletico on loan only after signing a new deal until the summer of 2027.
While that may be so, it was done only to lower the amortisation costs and has no bearing on Simeone and his future at the club.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
