On preparations for the new season, Simeone reassured the fans of Los Rojiblancos, expressing his confidence in the club’s management: “The club is making relentless efforts, and there is still plenty of time until the first of September”. 

The Argentine coach went on: “I trust that the management of the Madrid club will provide me with the tools needed to compete, as it has always done”.

His most important technical request soon followed: “I would like us to regain the defensive solidity we lost, because last season, especially in the Champions League, we produced a very poor defensive performance”. 

“We reached the semi-final, so imagine how we had to attack, something no one appreciates because we are Atlético Madrid,” he added. He also called on the midfielders to score more goals.