Those who escape difficult moments fastest are the ones competing to win

Simeone previews Levante visit, emphasizing the need to bounce back quickly from difficult moments to compete for the title.

Diego Simeone held his pre-match press conference ahead of Atlético Madrid's visit to Levante at the Ciutat de València. Two points behind Barcelona, Simeone stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and competing in every match, noting that Levante are strong at home and have a clear tactical identity.

Simeone acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the fixture, expressing respect for those affected by recent losses in the region. He discussed the development of young players like Arnau, who is adjusting to his new level, and reiterated confidence in Ádám Szalai and Lookman despite their current form. He also addressed the congested fixture list, noting that schedule adjustments for the Supercopa are an annual occurrence.

On the broader title race, Simeone reflected on managing ups and downs across a season, stating: "Those who manage to get out of difficult moments faster are the ones who end up competing to win." He emphasized that reaching 100 per cent performance is complex, but falling short of that standard won't be enough to achieve their ambitions.