FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v Girona - Civitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - August 25, 2024 Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone reacts REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo
MADRID (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said on Saturday his revamped side are still a work in progress and going through a transition period as their new signings settle in.
After spending more than 200 million euros ($221.52 million) reinforcing the squad with signings like Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Robin Le Normand after a trophyless campaign, Atletico have two wins and two draws from their four games.
Simeone said the team was going in the right direction and he was not concerned with results with ups and downs expected.
Coming off the back of a two-week international break, Atletico are fourth in the LaLiga standings, level with Real Madrid on eight points and four behind leaders Barcelona.
"We will face a difficult task in LaLiga, especially in the beginning of the season, until our team find their rhythm, reach the form that we know we (can) achieve," Simeone told a press conference ahead of the visit of Valencia on Sunday.
"We have many new players that have joined the team, something that has not happened in the last two seasons. But I'm not changing the objective, I'm still hoping for the best results.
"It would have been nice if the new guys were around here, but obviously the national teams call and everyone needs to go for two weeks.
"Our task here is to try to make them feel at home as quickly as possible so they can blend in and perform at the level that we all want," he added.
Simeone said having too many players was a good problem and that he was not worried about choosing a starting 11 as he will rotate his team during a busy schedule, with seven games between LaLiga and the Champions League in the next three weeks.
"I see the group with enthusiasm, they all want to play and earn their space in the team and are working hard for that," Simeone added.
"It's difficult to choose who to play but the number of games ahead allows me to have fresh players available, coming in with a lot of energy and desire.
"I like to think game by game and it doesn't take me any further away from Valencia. Yes we have new players around but I'm not changing that mentality and our objective, which is still hoping for the best result, game by game."
($1 = 0.9029 euros)
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)
