Key Takeaways:
- Diego Simeone identified Barcelona as his preferred opponent and commended Hansi Flick’s management
- Atletico Madrid have secured only two points from their opening three La Liga fixtures this season
- Atleti will aim to recover their form when they host Villarreal on September 13
Simeone’s Respect for Barcelona and Hansi Flick
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed that he relishes preparing for encounters with Barcelona, applauding both their attacking philosophy and collective gameplay. Simeone reserved particular praise for Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick, crediting him for “bringing the best out of players.”
Simeone, who has led the Rojiblancos since 2011, has frequently crossed paths with Barcelona, including four clashes last season, three of which ended in the Catalan club’s favour. One of those victories proved decisive as Barcelona eliminated Atletico from the Copa del Rey.
🚨🎙️ Diego Simeone: "The team whose playing style you like the most? Barcelona." pic.twitter.com/ra9XMjUf8t
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) September 10, 2025
Atletico’s Recent League Performances and Simeone’s Ambitions
Despite boasting continental and domestic experience, Atletico Madrid have endured a difficult start this term, registering just two points from their first three La Liga outings. The side’s recent league finishes have also been a source of frustration for Simeone. Since the club’s last La Liga triumph in 2021, Atletico have ended up third in four of the last six seasons – consistently trailing both Barcelona and Real Madrid. While third position has secured Champions League qualification, Simeone insists the club must set its sights higher.
Simeone Outlines the Challenge Ahead
Discussing his dissatisfaction with third-place finishes, Simeone affirmed the necessity for Atletico to win more silverware, referencing previous title victories in 1996, 2014, and 2021. He emphasised that settling for third does not align with his personal ambitions, even if it remains crucial for the club’s status.
With the international break concluded, attention turns to Atletico’s upcoming fixture against Villarreal on September 13, where they will be intent on reversing their stuttering start and restating their La Liga ambitions.
| La Liga Start (2025/26 Season) | Matches Played | Points Gained | Next Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | 3 | 2 | Villarreal (Home), 13 September |
Direct Quotes
“They [Barcelona] attack well, they have verticality, the wingers are important… They have a great team and they play as a team. The best coaches are those who manage to bring out the best version of each player.”
“I know we have to win. And I’ve known this for four years. If Atletico wants to continue growing and improving as a club and as a team, it has to win again. We won in 1996, 2014 and 2021 and… it’s time. It’s time, we have to win. I try not to get comfortable, not to relax, not to interpret that third place is enough for me, because it’s not. Am I happy being third? No, it doesn’t make me happy, but for the club it’s extremely important to be third and I’m a club man.”
