Next step for Atletico Madrid is to be champions, says Simeone

Diego Simeone could not have been prouder of the effort Atletico Madrid have put into this season, but for them to improve in 2026-27, he says they must win major silverware.

Atleti's final hopes of a trophy were ended on Tuesday as they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, going out 2-1 on aggregate.

They also lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad and have not been close to the top of LaLiga all season, with their ambitions instead limited to the top five.

Boasting a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Real Betis and a 16-point advantage over sixth-placed Celta – who they host at the Estadio Metropolitano on Saturday – Atleti are already guaranteed Champions League football next season.

That is because Spain will join England in receiving a fifth qualification place for UEFA's elite club competition, after Rayo Vallecano progressed to the Conference League final on Thursday.

Reflecting on Atleti's season, Simeone said: "The players are very clear about where they are, after the thanks I gave them yesterday for our extraordinary season, in terms of competitiveness. 

"It's clear that we didn't win anything and I thank the critics, because they motivate us to keep improving. 

"Next season, after what we did this season, to improve we have to be champions. It's good that there is criticism, we need it, it's part of life, it's not always positive things. 

"Sometimes it is constructive and sometimes it is not. But we are clear about where we are. As long as I'm here, we're going to compete."

Though Simeone is desperate to add to the two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Europa Leagues he has won with Atleti, the importance of securing Champions League football is not lost on him.

"It's very important, it's the first objective that the club has," he added. 

"In the same way that the first objective that Madrid and Barca have is to be champions, ours is to enter the Champions League. 

"Our task is to try to get closer to becoming champions at some point. It was a difficult season to explain. We had a cup final that escaped us on penalties; an extraordinarily competitive semi-final in the Champions League and an incredible quarter-final with Barca. 

"We gave our maximum and even more. It is very difficult to get to this place and being so close makes you feel that you can continue to be there. 

"It makes you angry, disappointed, angry, but today I'm fine. I ask myself and tell myself that we have to be grateful for what is happening to us these years. I clearly remember where we came from and where we are – there has been tremendous growth for the club." 

Realistically, Celta must win all three of their remaining games to have any chance of a top-five finish, while hoping Real Betis slip up at least twice. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann has been involved in eight goals as a substitute in LaLiga this season (six goals and two assists); no player has more goals and assists after coming off the bench in Europe's top five leagues this term (Michael Olise also has eight, three goals and five assists).

This will be the Frenchman's penultimate home game as an Atleti player, so however many minutes he gets, he will be determined to put them to good use.

Celta Vigo – Borja Iglesias 

Iglesias has scored 13 goals in 31 LaLiga appearances in 2025-26, his highest tally in a single campaign since 2022-23 with Real Betis (15 goals in 35 games). 

However, only against Barcelona (10) has he suffered more defeats in the competition than against Atleti (nine).

MATCH PREDICTION – ATLETICO MADRID WIN

Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last 14 LaLiga matches against Celta Vigo (W9 D5), their longest-ever unbeaten run against the Galician team in the competition.

And at home, Atleti have avoided defeat in their last 13 LaLiga matches against Celta (W9 D4), having lost four of their previous five (W1). 

Since 2014-15, they have only drawn more home games in the competition against Villarreal and Real Madrid (five each) than against Celta (four, level with Sevilla).

Simeone's side have won four of their last five home LaLiga matches (L1), though they have conceded exactly two goals in four of those five games (eight goals in total) – just one fewer than they conceded in their previous 15 matches in the competition (nine).

And Celta have lost their last two away LaLiga matches, having lost only one of their previous 12 on the road (W7 D4) – they have not lost three consecutive away games in the competition since January 2025 (L3).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Atletico Madrid – 44.6%

Celta Vigo – 29.3%

Draw – 26.1%