Simeone knows with success comes criticism, wants Atlético to improve against Qarabag

Atlético Madrid’s Champions League campaign is on the line on Tuesday night when they welcome Qarabag to the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone is growing concerned as his side has notched just one win from seven, with Antoine Griezmann et al. struggling in front of goal.

“You always want to improve, to win, to match the club's objectives,” Simeone said in his pre-game press conference. “We want Atlético to be amongst the best sides in the world. It'd be bad if I wasn't worried.”

Los rojiblancos were unlikely finalists in the competition in two of the last four years and they also won a league title in that time. Because of that, Simeone understands that when a dip comes, so will criticism.

“Our success in the last few years in all competitions means that if we don't get excellent results there's criticism,” the Argentine said. “We need to live with that if we want to achieve excellence. We have a responsibility on Tuesday. It's an important match for the club, the fans, the players and for me.”

The side trained at Estadio Vicente Calderón on Monday night while their visitors went for a test run at the new Metropolitano. Atlético are hoping to bring back some of the intensity they showed so often at their old ground as they start to run out of lives in the league, and more pressingly, in the Champions League.