Ahead of their Champions League clash with Club Brugge, Diego Simeone has challenged summer star Alex Baena to deliver more, after a disappointing first six months at the Metropolitano. Baena was brought in to be the main player, but he has been on the sidelines due to injuries but recently he has been doing well.
Baena did not start against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final, and was withdrawn after an hour against Rayo Vallecano in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat. Baena was the most expensive of Atletico Madrid’s nine signings this summer, but he is yet to carve out a role for himself.
Simeone wants more from Alex Baena
Simeone told the media that he also expected a lot from Baena, but he seemed hopeful that he would get it.
“He has a good attitude, and willingness to give his best, with a unique talent, we need more from him and we will want from him what we see he has,” he told Diario AS.
‘I can’t ask for more from the players’ – Simeone
Another topic of conversation at Atletico has been their mixed form of late, with two comfortable wins over Barcelona and Real Betis coming in between defeats to Betis and Rayo Vallecano.
“The game against Rayo was not good in the second half; the first half was not so bad. The same against Betis. But there were intervals where we did not win, and it is a series of consecutive games where it is important to win, and if we don’t, it creates bad situations. The team is willing to give everything; I cannot ask, however, for more desire in terms of success. The player puts a lot into his position.”
🇳🇬✨ Ademola Lookman and Atalanta in the Champions League:
– 14 games
[via @atletico_stats_] pic.twitter.com/cJG5A8IhhH
– 9 goal contributions (6 goals, 3 assists)
– 21 chances created
– 47 guns– Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 18, 2026
Captain Koke Resurreccion, who also spoke to the media, could not give a clear answer without the diversity of nature.
“How do I explain it? We are human, we have good days and bad days. If we had a way of playing well, like Betis or Barcelona, we would play like that every day. We are the first to win, we are the first to suffer, and we need to understand what is happening to us and strive to be consistent in order to achieve good things. We will play the League, and we hope we play well in the Champions League. as if we are playing in the Cup,” he told Diario AS.
‘People thought I was done’ – Koke Resurreccion
On a personal level, Koke has been enjoying a fine season, rolling back the years to become Atletico’s most consistent midfielder alongside Pablo Barrios.
“I’m in the right place right now, I’m doing what my coach asks of me. I want to help, I feel good, I’m happy, many people thought I was over because of my age, but since I’m 34 I feel good and I can contribute to the team.”
