Diego Simeone Criticizes Media's Focus on Transfers Over Atletico's Performance

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has publicly voiced his disapproval of the media's approach, accusing them of unfair reporting concerning his club, Los Colchoneros. Despite Atletico having virtually secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals this week, the dominant narrative unexpectedly shifted to Julian Alvarez's comments following the match.

When asked about his potential presence at the club next season, Alvarez was unable to provide confirmation, which, after months of ongoing speculation, ignited a considerable reaction. The Argentine forward has been linked with clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal, and several others over the past year, with many of these rumors reportedly originating from his own representatives.

Simeone Responds: 'I'm Speaking to Our People, Not the Media'

Unsurprisingly, Alvarez’s remarks were among the first topics Simeone addressed on Friday, prior to his team’s home game against Getafe. Simeone’s response was emphatic.

“I comprehend all your questions,” Simeone told Marca. “We defeated Club Brugge, and for you, the star player was Oblak, with the focus solely on his impressive save. We overcame Barcelona, and the main headline suggested Griezmann might be leaving. Yet, Griezmann is staying with us and will participate in the final. The other day we secured a victory, and the central question then becomes whether Julian will depart or remain.”

Simeone continued, directing his message: “Julian made some statements recently, which in my view, were accurate, and he is contributing a great deal to us. I am speaking to our supporters now, not the journalists… We are in a strong position. I assured them we would be competitive, and we are indeed competing as the season draws to a close.”

Concerns Over Alex Baena’s Playing Time

Alex Baena, a significant signing from last summer, is currently enduring a challenging period, having only played 21 minutes across Atletico’s last four matches. Simeone has previously demanded more from the player, and he reiterated this expectation.

“He is an exceptional talent,” Simeone stated. “We have discussed this on multiple occasions. We need him to elevate his standard of play, and when he does, he is truly outstanding. He possesses the versatility to play in various positions. It ultimately depends on him, and he will undoubtedly continue to bring us great things.”

Simeone certainly has a valid point that media outlets often gravitate towards the most controversial stories rather than focusing on on-field performances. It's fair to question whether Atletico has received the recognition they deserve recently. Nevertheless, it's also worth noting that the narrative surrounding Griezmann originated from his own conversations with Orlando City, and Alvarez possesses the intelligence to address inquiries about his future without intentionally generating major headlines.