It was taken with a pinch of salt when President Enrique Cerezo stated that Atletico Madrid was aiming for titles next season, while manager Diego Simeone is almost obliged to say so much. However, the message of the dressing room of Atletico is clear: there is a conviction that they can go all the way in one of the three major competitions next season.
Atletico is making eight signing sessions this summer for a total of € 149 million, excluding variables, has spent a great deal for a second summer in a row and the smell of ambition is in the air in the Metropolitano.
No one more expensive than Villarreal Playmaker Alex Baena, who was presented on Monday, which cost € 42 million. Cerezo thanked Baena for rejecting other others to sign for Atletico.
“I've always wanted to come to Athleti: I have been able to come here as long as I could. I am here to show everything I showed in Villarreal, and I am mainly here to win titles,” he said Diario like.
“We are going to tattoo more than one,” Baena told his new boss, referring to the fact that he has the habit of tattooing every trophy he has won, so far the Europa League, Olympic Games and Euro 2024.
Meanwhile, midfielder Pablo Barrios, in line to play a prominent role in midfield next to new signing sessions Johnny Cardoso and Baena, explained because they desperately tried to avoid third place.
'It's not just because six [discounting Clement Lenglet and Juan Musso] New signing sessions have arrived. We train every day, not to finish third. Nobody goes on the field with the ambition to finish third; We go out with the ambition to be champions. This year it looks very good; Many players have arrived and I hope it can be like that. '
With Atletico who took none of the three games they were in March in March by the Neck Scruff, and in the case of La Liga, struggles to defeat Getafe, Las Palmas and Espanyol, are accused of Los Rojiblancos of setting for the third.
“I know that many people say that, but it's not true. If we go out to play, we don't have that mentality; we have the mentality to win every game, to give everything, and then it can go well or not.”
If the messages were not clear, Cholo Simeone's own son was not afraid to add pressure for his team and his father. Giuliano Simeone was unambiguous that the whole team sought trophies.
“Everyone, without a doubt. I think we now know what Atletico Madrid is, what we have done over the years during the entire process, and now we have to win titles. But I think to achieve that, the essence of the club is to go day after day, to improve every training session, to get game by game and always the three points.”
“The Champions League. Without a doubt. Absolutely. Without a doubt,” he told Marca, when he was asked which trophy he would prefer to win.