7M - Simeone calls on entire Atletico squad to step up amid inconsistent form

Aletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has urged all members of his squad to step up as the team grapples with erratic results ahead of their Champions League play-off tie against Club Brugge.

Atleti’s form has been patchy this year: just days after a convincing 4-0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, they were beaten 3-0 by Rayo Vallecano in La Liga at the weekend. The club has managed only one instance of consecutive victories since January, leaving them fourth in the domestic league and heading into a do-or-die clash in Belgium to secure progression in Europe’s top club competition.

Asked about the recent use of Marc Pubill and David Hancko together at the back, Simeone chose to focus on the bigger picture rather than individual duos, stressing that everyone will be needed to get Atletico moving in the right direction again. He pointed out that while some players have impressed more than others recently, the squad’s success can’t rely on just a core group — every player has a part to play.

Atletico and Brugge have met eight times in European competition, with both sides winning three matches and drawing twice. Despite trailing at times in this season’s Champions League group stage, Simeone emphasised that the primary aim remains to advance and go as deep into the tournament as possible.