Simeone tells Real and Barcelona 'they know they can't make mistakes'

Diego Simeone tells Real Madrid and Barcelona ‘they know they can’t make mistakes’ as Atletico prepare to defend LaLiga title… while he also seems to shut down talk of Antoine Griezmann’s return, saying: ‘I hope he is great’ at Nou Camp

• Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to the LaLiga title last season
• He has warned their rivals that ‘they know they can’t make mistakes’ in the race
• Simeone also appeared to pour cold water on Antoine Griezmann’s return
• The Frenchman had been linked with Atletico as part of the Saul Niguez deal 

Diego Simeone has told Barcelona and Real Madrid that ‘they know they can’t make mistakes’ as his Atletico Madrid side prepare to defend their LaLiga crown against Spain’s big two clubs next season.

Atletico capitalised on their rivals’ poor domestic campaigns to seal their first title in seven years – and 11th overall – by finishing two points ahead of city rivals Real last season.

Simeone’s side are well placed to defend their crown with another huge summer of upheaval at the Nou Camp and Carlo Ancelotti fresh from taking the reins at Real after the departure of Zinedine Zidane. 

Diego Simeone has told Barcelona and Real Madrid that ‘they know they can’t make mistakes’

Atletico capitalised on their rivals’ poor domestic campaigns to seal the LaLiga title this year

The Argentine dismissed claims that Atletico like to play the victim when comparing the squads of Spain’s big clubs but warned their title rivals that they will be capitalising on any slip ups again next season.  

‘People always think I claim victimhood, but it is true that Real Madrid and Barcelona have almost always been superior. It’s the squads, all the years they’ve competed,’ he said in an interview with Marca.

‘But, that does not mean that in any given year you will be better. It happened in 2014, when we were better. It happened in 2021. We have been better, but that does not mean we are better.

‘Real Madrid and Barcelona know they can’t make mistakes. We know our place and we want to improve, but that is not victimhood. Everyone interprets it however they want.

‘The reality is that Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, PSG, Manchester City, Bayern… They are the historic clubs, but that is not why they will always win.’

Atletico have already spent £31million on signing Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese and are expected to bring in more new faces before the LaLiga season starts next month.

Simeone’s side are well placed to defend their crown when the season starts next month

Simeone appeared to shut down any chance of bringing Antoine Griezmann back to the club

One of those linked with a move is Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann, who has been talked up as a possible makeweight in the deal to bring Saul Niguez to the Nou Camp.

Sportsmail reported last week that the two clubs were in advanced talks about the swap deal of the summer but the chances of pulling it off now appear slim as the Frenchman would have to take a pay cut.

When asked about the possible return of Griezmann to Atletico – where he played between 2014 and 2019 – Simeone appeared to shut down any chance of bringing him back.

The Argentine added: ‘I have a very good relationship with Antoine. My family are close with his and we see each other from time to time.

‘For him I want the best and I hope he is great with Barcelona.

‘That is an extraordinary club and Antoine is the complete player.

‘In Euro 2020, he showed again that wherever they played him he can give many things.’

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