Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid: Simeone gives injury update on Le Normand before BET v ATM in La Liga

Diego Simeone has revealed that Jules Kounde should be fit for the clash against Real Betis on Sunday, but both Nahuel Molina and Joao Felix are major doubts after picking up knocks in training this week.

The Argentine was speaking at a pre-match press conference and also discussed the importance of starting the season strongly in order to carry momentum into the next campaign. Here's everything the Atletico boss said ahead of the game...

Diego Simeone does not believe that Atletico Madrid's inconsistent pre-season form is a concern as his side prepare to get their La Liga campaign up and running this weekend at Real Betis.

Atletico lost 1-0 to Manchester United in Oslo on Saturday and were beaten 2-0 by Cadiz last weekend. They also needed penalties to beat Numancia in a friendly earlier this summer.

However, Simeone is confident that his team will be ready for the start of the season, saying: "We are working well and we are happy with the work we are doing. We know that we have to improve in some things, but we are on the right track."

Simeone also provided an injury update on Jules Kounde, Nahuel Molina and Joao Felix ahead of the trip to Betis.

Kounde has been struggling with a minor ankle problem, but Simeone said that the Frenchman should be fit to play on Sunday.

However, Molina and Felix are major doubts after picking up knocks in training this week.

Simeone said: "Nahuel Molina and Joao Felix have some discomfort and we will have to wait and see how they are tomorrow. We will make a decision on their availability after the training session."

Atletico Madrid will be looking to start the season strongly in order to carry momentum into the next campaign.

The club is hoping to challenge for the La Liga title this season and Simeone knows that a good start will be essential.

He said: "We want to start the season strongly and we know that we have to be at our best from the first game. We have a difficult match against Real Betis, but we are confident that we can get a good result."