The 2023-2024 season marked the third consecutive year without trophies for Atletico Madrid, with the team finishing fourth in La Liga without much excitement. The Colchoneros were never in the title race, consistently trailing in the standings, even behind Girona, who had a dream season. In the Copa del Rey, after defeating Real Madrid, their path seemed clear towards victory, but their journey ended in the semifinals against Athletic Bilbao, who went on to win the trophy. The Champions League quarter-final elimination by Borussia Dortmund was particularly hard to swallow, especially after dominating the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone is entering his 13th season at the helm of Atletico Madrid. Recently, he extended his contract until 2027, opening a new chapter in the intense love story between the club and its leader. Simeone embodies the spirit of the Colchoneros: grit and determination are the watchwords to compete for major honors again. The Argentine coach has demanded a change in the club's transfer strategy to help Atletico return to the top of Spanish and European football.
For the 2024-2025 season, Atletico Madrid's objectives are clear. The club aims to compete for La Liga alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, win a title, possibly the Copa del Rey, and advance as far as possible in the Champions League and the new Club World Cup, debuting this season.
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Atletico Madrid's incoming transfer market is yet to take off, unlike their outgoing activities. The permanent sales of Alvaro Morata to AC Milan and Caglar Soyuncu to Fenerbahce mark the beginning of a squad overhaul. The contracts of Hermoso, Depay, and Vitolo have expired, and they have been released.
Simeone is pushing for the signings of defenders Le Normand and Merino from Real Sociedad, both standout performers in Spain's European Championship victory. In attack, besides Girona's Dovbyk, the dream target is Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, who has requested more playing time from Guardiola. The Argentine forward, nicknamed "El Arana," wants to be a starter to maintain his place in the national team.
Atletico Madrid's preseason includes several friendlies to prepare for the new campaign. Matches against Numancia, Kitchee, and the prestigious friendly against Juventus on August 11 will be crucial for testing the team and fine-tuning tactics.
Atletico Madrid will kick off their La Liga campaign on August 19 against Villarreal, a challenging opener. Subsequent matches will be against Girona, newly-promoted Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, and Valencia. These opening fixtures present a moderate level of difficulty for Diego Simeone's side. The Madrid derby against Real Madrid is scheduled for September 29, in the 8th round, at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the return fixture at the Bernabeu on February 9. The eagerly anticipated clash with Barcelona will see the first leg in Catalonia on December 22 and the return leg in Madrid on March 18.
Atletico Madrid's summer transfer market is still developing. The departures of Morata, Soyuncu, Hermoso, Depay, and Vitolo have created space and resources for new signings. Simeone is targeting Le Normand and Merino to strengthen the defense and midfield, while Julian Alvarez is the primary target for the attack.
The young Argentine, after two successful seasons with Manchester City, seeks more playing time and could see Atletico as the perfect platform to shine. The acquisition of Dovbyk from Girona is also of interest, although the Catalan club is not willing to offer discounts.
The summer preparation will be crucial for Atletico Madrid. The friendlies against Numancia, Kitchee, and Juventus will serve to assess the players' physical condition and integrate new signings into Simeone's system.
The start of the season will see Atletico Madrid facing mid-to-high-tier teams. The opener against Villarreal on August 19 will be followed by matches against Girona, Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, and Valencia. These matches will be critical for setting the pace and accumulating valuable points early in the season.
The Madrid derby, one of the season's most anticipated fixtures, is set for September 29 at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the return match on February 9 at the Bernabeu. The always thrilling matches against Barcelona will have the first leg in Catalonia on December 22 and the return leg in Madrid on March 18.
The 2024-2025 season is pivotal for Atletico Madrid. After years without trophies, Simeone's squad is determined to return to the top of Spanish and European football. With an evolving transfer market and intense summer preparation, the Colchoneros are ready to compete on all fronts, from La Liga to the Champions League, and including the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup. Simeone's grit and determination will, as always, be key to their success.
