After the World Cup break, the Spanish league will also return to activity today (Thursday) with three matches, when the main match will bring together Atlético Madrid with Elche.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has said he is solely responsible for the club's stuttering start to the season, while refusing to confirm star Joao Felix wants to leave the club.
Atlético ranked fifth in "La Liga" was eliminated from the Champions League, and will also not play in the Europa League after finishing fourth at home in the continent's top factory.
The financial blow that followed the exit from Europe saw the club allow striker Matheus Konya to join Wolves, while Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said earlier this month that Joao Felix would leave if a sufficient offer arrived for him. "We had four players in the World Cup final - Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo de Paul, Nahuel Molina and Angel Correa and three of them played a lot," Simeone said at a press conference yesterday when asked about the state of his squad. "We have a good squad.
Maybe the one who doesn't do what is needed is the coach and it's me."
Atlético players, yesterday in the final training session, photo: EPA
Simeone also said: "There are good players here. Joao was great in the World Cup. Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel started in Belgium. We have important players. I must improve so that they can raise their level. We have a bad to average season and it has nothing to do with names They are the same as last season and similar to those who won the championship... the responsibility is on me more than anyone else."
Atlético went into the World Cup break with just one win in five league games, including draws with Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol and losses to Cádiz and Mallorca.
At the same time, the CEO of the club said that the relationship between Simeone and Felix is not good enough and therefore the Portuguese may be sold.
When asked about working with Felix, Simeone said: "There's a good working relationship. There can always be problems between people, we can't agree on everything, but I've always looked for the best for the club. What interests me is the team. He's an important player, if we succeed To achieve what we saw in the first games in the World Cup, he will be really important. He has the talent and the team needs his qualities."
Simeone also refused to comment on reports that Atletico could sign Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias, should Felix leave.
"You know I'm not talking about players who are not here at the club," he said.
"I'm focused on making the best of what we have here."
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