Atlético Madrid’s High Stakes: Confronting April and May’s challenges on and off the pitch

With nine games left to play this season (potentially 12 if they reache the Champions League final), Atlético Madrid face numerous challenges on and off the pitch. In La Liga, eight crucial matches remain that will determine Atlético’s fate for the next season. There are also contractual situations to be resolved as both the players and the club want to enter the summer feeling relaxed.

Top-4 Fight

Atlético Madrid are currently fighting for a top-4 spot alongside Athletic Club, which is only 2 points behind. Failing to qualify for the Champions League would mark a first under Diego Simeone since his first full-season in 2012/13. The red-and-whites face a tough schedule, including matches against Girona, Athletic—a team Atleti hasn’t beaten in over a year—and Real Sociedad, who are also in the hunt for a European spot.

It’s a challenging run for the Colchoneros, compounded by an injury like Memphis Depay’s, a scoring drought for Álvaro Morata, and the team’s defensive inconsistencies.

Additionally, the Spanish Super Cup is seemingly out of reach at the moment. For a chance to qualify, Atlético must hope for both Barcelona (currently second and nine points ahead) and Girona to drop points from now until the end of the season, thereby securing second place and a ticket to the competition.

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However, Atlético have historically managed to secure a Champions League spot in the face of adversity, a trend most obviously seen over the past three seasons. Notably, under Simeone, Atleti have never finished outside the top three, let alone the top four, in a full season. However, catching up to Girona in third seems tough, as the Catalans sit seven points ahead. A victory against them this weekend could narrow the gap to four points, giving the men from Madrid a chance to keep that impressive streak alive.

Before worrying about potential Supercopa qualification, Atlético must fight harder than ever to secure a top-four finish, as this is crucial not only for the team’s prestige but also for its economic stability. Qualifying for the Champions League is essential to retaining key players and to facilitate new signings. Based on La Liga earnings from 2021/22, the financial stakes are significant: the team that finishes in first place earns €61.3 million, second place earns €54.1 million, third place €46.9 million, fourth place €39.7 million, and fifth place €32.4 million. Therefore, if Atleti finish fourth, the club would miss out on a potential windfall of €14.4 million.

Contractual Situations

With less than two months remaining in the season, Atlético face crucial decisions regarding players like Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso, whose contracts expire this summer. Koke’s recent contract renewal removes one concern for the club. With Çağlar Söyüncü and Stefan Savić potentially leaving in the summer, and with reports of César Azpilicueta’s extension until 2025, Atleti are positioned to retain only one of Hermoso or Witsel as they plan a significant spree into the summer transfer market, aiming to sign at least two defenders.

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It increasingly sounds like Witsel will stay, while Hermoso departs. Despite not yet receiving a renewal offer, Witsel and the club have both indicated a desire to continue their relationship. At 35, the Belgian has been arguably Atleti’s most reliable and consistent center-back this season, meriting an extension. In contrast, Hermoso has battled inconsistency (and injury of late), and he has rejected a renewal offer due to his salary expectations.

Gabriel Paulista is another player expected to leave on a free transfer. Having signed a six-month deal in January, recent reports suggest Atlético do not intend to extend his contract, with other targets in mind for reinforcement.