Diego Simeone: Atletico Madrid Still in LaLiga Title Hunt

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes the LaLiga title race is far from over, despite his team's seven-point deficit behind leaders Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is optimistic that his team's recent struggles in LaLiga are not insurmountable, and he believes the success of his players on international duty can help revive the club's fortunes. Atletico has experienced a difficult month, losing consecutive LaLiga games and being eliminated from the Champions League.

The team's current situation sees them sitting in third place, seven points behind league leaders Barcelona, who defeated them 4-2 on March 16. This loss was followed by their Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United. However, some key Atletico players have since enjoyed success with their national teams in World Cup qualifiers.

❝Espanyol compete very well, especially at home. You can see a very good collective work❞.

— Simeone 🎙 pic.twitter.com/Z6BJOLbtDJ

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 28, 2025

Giuliano Simeone, Diego's son, scored for Argentina in a 4-1 win over Brazil, while Alexander Sorloth scored twice in wins for Norway. Simeone acknowledged the positive impact of these experiences, saying, “All the international guys, going to the national team is a positive energy.” He also noted that the success of his players on international duty can help shift the team's mindset, stating, “They did well and after the game against Barcelona... winning always makes you happier.”

Looking ahead to the weekend's match against Espanyol, Simeone is hopeful that his team can build on the momentum gained by their players on international duty.

Diego Simeone, who has led Atletico Madrid to two LaLiga titles, remains optimistic about his team's chances in the current season. With 10 rounds still to be played, Simeone believes the title race is far from over. He emphasized the importance of the final stretch of the season, saying, “I think the last five games are the ones that decide the seasons, and whoever arrives with options are the ones who will compete for the objective.”

The squad list for Espanyol vs Atleti 👇 pic.twitter.com/kXTUxD7AVT

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 28, 2025

Despite his team's seven-point deficit behind league leaders Barcelona, Simeone is cautious not to underestimate their upcoming opponents, Espanyol, who currently sit in 15th place. He acknowledged the competitiveness of LaLiga, stating, “LaLiga is complicated everywhere, everyone plays well, there is no one who plays badly, everyone has their moments... we always look at the present and the present is Espanyol.”

Simeone reflected on Atletico's recent 4-2 loss to Barcelona, acknowledging the efforts of his team. He said, “Against Barcelona we made a great effort and then the opponent's ability could overcome us... but we are back.” This sentiment suggests that Simeone is focused on moving forward and preparing his team for the challenges ahead, starting with their match against Espanyol on Saturday.