Monday, 25th August, 2014
Diego Simeone admits that it will be difficult for Atletico Madrid to repeat last season’s La Liga triumph in the upcoming campaign.
The Spanish champions will begin their title defence against Rayo Vallecano later today at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Los Colchoneros were also minutes away from winning the Champions League last season before Sergio Ramos equalised for Real Madrid in the dying seconds to stretch the tie into extra time, where eventually Los Blancos scored three more goals to win their tenth European Cup.
Simeone admits that it will be an uphill task for Atletico Madrid to repeat last season’s feats.
"Over one or two games we all have a chance. Over a full year you need to do things extraordinarily well, at 110% like we did last year," the Argentine was quoted as saying by the BBC.
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Although Atletico Madrid have spent big this summer to sign the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and a number of other players, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also spent more than £100m on new players.
The 44-year-old provided a reality check for the Atletico Madrid fans and said that the big two of Spanish football came close to winning the title last season, even though they were nowhere close to their best.
"In a league of 38 games, the same Barca, having a bad season according to all the experts, nearly ended up champions.
"Madrid too had a bad start to the season and if they had beaten Valencia at home four games from the end they would have been top.”
Los Colchoneros won the Spanish Super Cup last Friday with an overall 2-1 aggregate scoreline against Real Madrid.
"It is very difficult to fight over so many games, but in one match we are competitive and capable of beating anyone."
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