Simeone urges Atleti to improve ahead of Betis clash
Diego Simeone called on Atletico Madrid to "strive to be better" as it travels to Real Betis in LaLiga on Tuesday, with the host side looking to extend its unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.
Atletico sits just above Betis, with the sides fourth and fifth, respectively. Rojiblancos arrive after a 4-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal, their second loss in the competition this season, but they did secure a 1-0 league win over Osasuna last weekend.
Simeone's side remains unbeaten in LaLiga since a shock 2-1 loss to Espanyol in its season curtain-raiser, and have also posted four wins, four draws, and one defeat from nine matches.
However, with Atletico eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, Simeone’s men look some way off mounting a title challenge, and the battle for a top-four spot may prove more realistic.
Atleti is yet to win away in the league this season, drawing three of four games, while Betis has won three of its four home matches.
"The challenge is to want more, to keep striving to be better, just like we did from the first day we arrived," Simeone said. "To remain committed to the club’s idiosyncratic style of play throughout Atleti’s history, and we’re going to keep going until the very last day.”
Betis has collected four wins, four draws, and one defeat this season, the only loss coming against Athletic Club in late August. Last weekend it drew 2-2 with Villarreal and followed that with a 0-0 Europa League draw against Genk on Friday, maintaining an eight-match unbeaten streak.
After finishing sixth in La Liga last season, Manuel Pellegrini’s team will be aiming to challenge for European qualification again, with a top-four finish still within reach. Betis lost 4-1 to Atletico in its last meeting in May 2025, though the previous season it had won 1-0 at home against Los Rojiblancos.
