Simeone SLAMS Joao Felix after the forward admits Atletico 'problem'

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hit back at forward Joao Felix, following the 22-year-old's comments on the club's recent struggles.

Having won La Liga last season, Atleti currently sit fifth in the table and 17 points off the summit. They have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Speaking to The Athletic recently, Felix said: 'I think we all know what the problem is [with the team], I don't want to say though.'

Ahead of this weekend's La Liga fixture against Getafe, Simeone was asked for his thoughts on the Portuguese forward's assessment.

'About what Joao said, you can ask him,' the 51-year-old said. 'I work according to the team. If he is clear about what the problem is, it would be good to know.'

Atletico lost four successive league games in December before starting 2022 with seven points from a possible nine.

However, following a Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Real Sociedad, Simeone's side lost 4-2 to Barcelona in La Liga and were then beaten in the Spanish Super Cup by Athletic Bilbao.

Now their only chance of silverware this season is the Champions League – they face Manchester United in the round of 16 over the next month.

Felix – who signed from Benfica for £113 million in 2019 – has scored just three goals in 21 games in all competitions in 2021-22.

This is Simeone's 10th full season in charge of the club and in that time Atletico have never finished outside of La Liga's top four.