{
  "id": 6348381,
  "title": "Atletico have work to do to reach home Champions League final, says Simeone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/atletico-have-work-to-do-to-reach-home-champions-league-final-says",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-08T22:51:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/09/atletico-have-work-to-do-to-reach-home-champions-league-final-says-simeone"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have a long way to go in reaching a Champions League final, despite their home advantage at the Metropolitano Stadium. The uncertainty surrounding star forward Julian Alvarez's future has hindered the team's preparations, but Simeone remains confident in their progress. After a slow start to the season, Atletico lost 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao and currently trails La Liga leaders Barcelona by five points after just four matches. The Argentine has also benefited from the loan signing of Canadian international Jonathan David. Additionally, Simeone's team had nine players involved in Spain's World Cup final victory just a month before their league season began. Simeone acknowledges the importance of reaching the final at the Metropolitano and noted that his team is improving and finding their rhythm as they welcome Liverpool to Anfield for their Champions League opener.",
  "summary": "Diego Simeone believes his side will improve after a slow start to the season ahead of their opener away to Liverpool.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "LIVE: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan – UEFA Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/live-real-madrid-vs-inter-milan-uefa-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-09-08T15:47:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Real beat Inter, Haaland's brace gives Man City winning start",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/real-beat-inter-haalands-brace-gives-man-city-winning-start",
        "published": "2026-09-08T18:59:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "UCL | Real Madrid 2-1 Inter: Costly errors ruin Champions League opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/ucl-real-madrid-2-1-inter-costly-errors-ruin-champions-league-opener",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Champions League Roundup: Real Madrid beat Inter Milan, Man City win at Porto",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/champions-league-roundup-real-madrid-beat-inter-milan-man-city-win-at",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:44:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Atletico have work to do to reach home Champions League final, says Simeone",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/atletico-have-work-to-do-to-reach-home-champions-league-final-says-6350476",
        "published": "2026-09-08T22:51:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mbappe goes joint-fifth in the list as real Madrid beat Inter Milan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/mbappe-goes-joint-fifth-in-the-list-as-real-madrid-beat-inter-milan",
        "published": "2026-09-08T23:23:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}