
To date, it has been almost a perfect October for Atlético Madrid in La Liga. The Colchoneros have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points this month. Last Saturday they beat Real Betis 2-1. The match ahead of the game against Bayer 04 ended in victory. This hard-fought win took Atléti up to third in the table and they are now the main challengers to the two big teams Real Madrid and Barcelona. "We kept calm at the end to secure three very important points," said Simeone commenting on the result.
The win at cup winners Real Betis is even more impressive as the club from Andalusia had previously won all of their last five home fixtures. Antoine Griezmann was the man of the match in Seville. The Frenchman, signed by Atletico from Barcelona, scored both of the goals for the visitors. And in a quite impressive manner. Griezmann opened the scoring from a corner (54’) and then nutmegged the Betis keeper Rui Silva with his weaker right foot (77'). Those were goals number four and five this season for the World Cup winner who has also provided three assists.
Griezmann has netted 147 goals in 308 games for Atletico – making him the third highest goalscorer in the club's history. Above all, coach Simeone is happy the 31-year-old has returned to top form in recent weeks. At the start of the season, he was only allowed to play 30 minutes per match due to his contractual position. Since no longer being on loan, with a contract to 2026 with Atlético, the Frenchman has flourished. "I'm happy to be there where I want to be," Griezmann shared on Twitter.
Fellow striker Alvaro Morata has also scored five goals in the league. And the Argentinian Angel Correa has found the back of the net three times. Joao Felix in contrast, the fourth star in the Colchoneros attack, has yet to score. At the same time, the Portuguese striker is rarely in Simeone it's starting eleven at the moment. The 22-year-old came off the bench on 76 minutes in Seville after not playing in the previous 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
As well as Atlético are performing in La Liga, the recent results in the Champions League have been disappointing for the team from the capital. The 2-0 defeat at Bayer 04 was followed by a similar scoreline against Group B leaders Club Brugge. And the second meeting with the Flemish team ended in a goalless draw. Simeone's team dominated the match and at times produced some exciting attacking football but they let too many chances go begging. Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet was on sparkling form on the night as well.
The Rojiblancos are currently third in the group with four points and that's one point and one position ahead of the Werkself. The clash between the Red and Whites and the Black and Reds could be decisive in terms of playing in Europe after the group stage. If Atlético win they will have a good chance of reaching the Round of 16. Bayer 04 would then be out of Europe this term.
Simeone will have to manage without his injured captain Koke for the game against the Black and Reds. Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar are also ruled out through injury.

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Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
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In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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