Atletico is still in LaLiga title race, Simeone assures

Atletico Madrid is still in LaLiga title race, boss Diego Simeone said after a dismal run saw them lose ground to rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid and exit the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Still in the race of winning the LaLiga title, Atletico are third on the table with 57 points, nine points behind leaders Barcelona and six behind Real Madrid ahead of Sunday’s trip to mid-table Sevilla.

With nine games remaining, the Spanish league remains their only hope of silverware this season before their jaunt to the Club World Cup, which will run from June 14 to July 13.

Following Atletico’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid last month, is this week defeat in the Copa del Rey by Barcelona.

“The team is working well, the focus is now on La Liga and we have to compete until the end in the best way,” Simeone told reporters on Saturday. Asked whether his side were strong enough to contend for the title, he said: “Yes.”

With fans fearing a fourth consecutive trophy less season, Simeone, who has been managing Atletico since 2011, said there was still room for growth in his team and added that he had built a legacy at the club.

“Since I arrived Atletico, I’ve always pursued pure growth, and I believe there’s still room for it. What used to be ‘hopes and maybes’ are now real possibilities,” he said.

“But the most important thing is the legacy we’re leaving,” he added, having guided Atletico to two La Liga titles – the most recent in the 2020-21 season — as well as two Europa League trophies among other honors.

“The players have been playing well even though they haven’t gotten results, so Sevilla will be a difficult match.”