Third-placed finishers in La Liga last season and, probably according the El Clasico duo of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are the third best team in the Primera Liga.
The Argentine head coach is about to enter his 15th campaign as Rojiblancos boss and that makes him a legend at the Wanda Metropolitano, but let’s remember, he has delivered two La Liga titles in that time, most recently in 2021. Under Simeone, Atleti have also won a Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de Espana, two Europa League titles and two UEFA Super Cup triumphs.
The Argentine head coach is a winner, and so are his players and they will start the upcoming campaign believing they can win the title, though the La Liga 2025 betting odds say they will once again finish in third. All three of the title hopefuls have been busy in the summer transfer market. Reigning champions Barcelona have just signed England forward Marcus Rashford in a loan with potential to buy deal, and that follows the arrival of keeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol. Meanwhile Real Madrid, under new manager Xabi Alonso, have signed wingback Trent Alexander Arnold, a long expected arrival from Liverpool, and centre back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
Baena flies in to Madrid
Los Rojiblancos have been on manoeuvres too and their eye-catching deal has been the transfer of exciting winger Alex Baena from Villarreal in a 42m Euros deal. The Spain international has joined Atleti on a five-year contract and it’s a move which can seriously strengthen Simeone’s title challenge. Baena has been at Villarreal since his academy days, making his senior debut in 2019 before breaking out in the 2022/23 campaign with 12 goals, following a productive loan spell at Girona. He made 17 assists in 2023/24 and Baena made another nine assists last term. A skilful winger with an eye for goal, the 24 year old is sure to become fans favourite and a real worry for the El Clasico pair.
Simeone likes an uncompromising centre back and he has just recruited another, in the shape of 27 year old Slovakian defender David Hancko. Los Rojiblancos swooped to complete a 30m Euros deal after Hancko’s proposed deal to move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League collapsed at the 11th hour. And the Atleti recruitment team are still busy sourcing talent to strengthen Simeone’s hand further, with Manchester United winger Antony on the radar. The 25 year old impressed during his loan spell at Real Betis last term and he would welcome a permanent move to the Primera Division, and the price being circulated is 30m Euros. Meanwhile the German press has reported that VfB Stuttgart striker Enzo Millot has been released from their pre-season squad amidst negotiations with Los Rojiblancos. The 23 year old has an 18m Euros release clause in his contract at Stuttgart and his current club is resigned to losing the France Olympic team star.
On the way out of the Wanda Metropolitano, Axel Witzel, Cesar Azpilicueta and Angel Correa have been followed by Argentine midfielder Rodri de Paul who has gone to Inter Miami to join his old mate Lionel Messi. The 31 year old star has been one of the standout performers at Atleti since his move in 2021, scoring 11 goals in 134 appearances while picking up 78 caps for Argentina and a World Cup winners medal.
De Paul will be missed by the club but he leaves behind him a squad already dripping with talent, led by midfield ace Koke and with Atleti legend Antonie Griezmann in the line-up. The France star is now 34 but he is still a class act in any position across or just behind the front line, where Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez had impressive debut campaigns last term, improving as the season went on. Add Baena into that mix and you have an exciting prospect for Atleti fans over the next ten months. At the back vice captain Jan Oblak is the last line of defence behind a defence which boasts Jose Gimenez, Clement Lenglet, Robin Le Normand and now Hancko.
This is a group ready to challenge.
Los Rojiblancos have won 11 La Liga titles in their 122 year history so now Simeone’s task is to make it 12. He needs his team to kicking off with a strong set of La Liga 2025 results, starting with a trip to Barcelona to take on Espanyol.
Then Atleti host Los Blancos in the Madrid Derby on match day seven and you can be sure we’ll be all over that mouth-watering prospect, right here at SBOTOP. Win that and everyone will recognise Atleti can be top dogs again.
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