Diego Simeone says that he and his Atletico Madrid team reinvent themselves for their first home game of the season in Laliga, against Elche on Saturday.
Atleti's 2024-25 campaign started with a disappointing 2-1 defeat in Espanyol, defeated with Simeone's side by a late header from Pere Milla.
In the past four seasons, Atleti has become trophyless since winning LaLiga behind closed doors in 2020-21, has been active in the transfer market in recent months.
They have made 10 signing sessions, including attacking midfielders Alex Baena and Thiago Almada, Vooruit Giacomo Raspadori and Center-Back David Hancko.
Atleti enjoyed a possession share of 60.1% and completed 551 fits last Sunday, much more than their average figures of 52.2% and 441 in LaLiga last season.
When asked about the new approach of Athleti, Simeone explained: “I don't know if the word is change, but it's about reinventing itself.
“I've been here for 15 years and I always try to reinvent myself.
“I think, in addition to those who have an agenda and only appear at difficult moments, the reality is what it is and it is not necessary to explain it. The responsibility continues to grow. We will compete well with the work of the team.
“Being part of that growth, with the fans, and many people who have worked at Atletico for a long time … it honors us and makes us happy.”
Elche went 1-1 on Real Betis last week, after he finished second in the Segunda Division last season to seal a return to the top flight.
“I see them doing very well, just as I expected,” said Simeone. “We played a game with many good things and of course also with things to improve.
“I expect an intense game from both teams. They play an offensive, quality game, and that will require us to do our best.”
Players to watch
Atletico Madrid – Julian Alvarez
Alvarez scored last week with a stunning free kick, his third direct free-fick goal for Athleti in all competitions.
No player in Europe's top five competitions has more of such goals since the beginning of last season, with Omar Marmoush and Bruno Fernandes also three.
Elche – German Valera
At 23 years and 155 days old against Real Betis on match day one, Valera became the fourth-year-old player who scored on his debut for Elche in Laliga this century.
Only Richmond Boakye (20, 214 days), Cristian Herrera (22 years, 256 days) and Alex Collado (23 years, 155 days) have achieved that performance at a younger age.
Match prediction: Atletico Madrid Win
Simeone has won all five home games that he has managed against Elche in Laliga.
Only against Real Valladolid (seven) did the Argentinian achieve more home wins with a 100% success rate in the competition (also five against Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas).
Los Colchoneros capitulated against Espanyol last week, but they should do better on home floor, who won their last four in the Metropolitano in League Action.
They had points in three of their previous five on a home floor, win two, two signs and one lost.
Diego Pablo pic.twitter.com/cbmvganbkf
– Atlético de Madrid (@atleti) August 22, 2025
Elche started their season with a deserving 1-1 draw against Betis and is now unbeaten in their last six games in Laliga that go back to their relegation campaign of 2022-23 (two wins, four draws), despite the scoring of only one goal in each of those games.
Atleti has played 24 home games against Elche in Laliga, won 21 and signed three. That is the most that they have confronted with every opponent in Laliga without suffering a single defeat.
Opta wins probability
Atletico Madrid – 72.4%
Elche – 11.1%
Drawing – 16.5%