Atletico Madrid’s head coach Diego Simeone made an honest admission about his team’s form after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Barcelona at the Cavitas Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.
This was the first time Atletico conceded three goals against Barcelona at their home ground since Simeone took over the club in 2012. The Argentine admitted that the club has not been performing at the required level ever since they won the league title in 2021.
“After winning La Liga, in subsequent years, it has been difficult for us. Competing in three tournaments is not easy. We have to improve because others also improve. We are in that process, we are going to do it and we hope it can be seen,” Simeone told Mundo Deportivo.
The team clearly knows what the primary objective is year after year. We have to talk about that internally with the club but we do have to improve, without a doubt.”
Simeone then went on to admit that his side wasn’t as clinical in front of the goal as the opponents which contributed to their defeat.
“Football is linked to effectiveness. The other day we had one from Lino that the goalkeeper saved, they had another and Oblak saved it… Effectiveness gives you the possibility of being more competitive. Today we are a little weaker than a month ago. The Bilbao game at home, which was where this not-so-good moment began,” he added.
Remember, Atletico applied pressure on Barcelona in the early stages of the match but the visitors took the lead in the 38th minute with Lewandowski setting up Felix for an easy close-range finish.
Lewandowski doubled his side’s advantage two minutes into the second half as the Pole scored his 13th league goal of the season.
Barca coach Xavi was sent off in the first half for making an observation on a referee decision with a 'screaming voice' and hand gestures but that didn’t affect his side as Lopez sealed the deal in the 65th minute with a towering header off Lewandowski's second assist.
