Simeone Acknowledges Fans’ Frustration After Atletico’s Draw

Atletico Madrid’s manager, Diego Simeone, expressed understanding for fans’ frustrations following a disappointing 1-1 draw against promoted side Elche in LaLiga on Saturday. Despite taking an early lead through Alexander Sorloth, Atletico could not secure a victory, as Rafa Mir equalised later in the match. This result leaves Atletico without a win in the league, placing them 13th in the standings.

The match held at Atletico’s home ground showcased a familiar pattern for the team. Last week, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Espanyol, where they also took the lead before conceding three late goals from Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla. These back-to-back results have raised concerns among supporters who expected a stronger performance from a club that finished third in LaLiga last season.

In a post-match press conference, Simeone addressed the discontent among fans. He stated, “They’re right. We’re in the same situation as them. We gave everything to win the game and we couldn’t do it.” His comments reflect a shared sentiment of disappointment, as both the coach and supporters grapple with the team’s current form.

Simeone reassured fans of the team’s commitment to improving results, emphasizing, “We’re working as hard as we can to make the most of the great qualities of the players we have.” He expressed confidence that with “calm, patience and hard work,” Atletico will eventually turn their fortunes around.

The manager noted that despite the frustrations, he believes the team is on the right path. “It’s true that we drew, that we’re not happy, that we had to win, but we’re on the path we need to be on,” he added.

Looking ahead, Atletico Madrid will face Alaves in their next league match on September 30, 2023. The team will aim to secure their first victory of the season and restore confidence among supporters as they navigate what has been a challenging start to their campaign.