The club's campaign began with a frustrating 2-1 loss to Espanyol, followed by three draws against Elche, Deportivo Alaves, and Mallorca. Their sole victory came in a 2-0 home win against Villarreal, a result that offered a brief respite from their early struggles. In European competition, their form has been equally concerning, suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
The inconsistency has put pressure on manager Diego Simeone, whose side is currently enduring their worst start to a league season since he took charge. The team's inability to convert draws into wins has created a significant gap between them and the top of the table.
Atletico will now look to reverse their fortunes in a crucial league clash against Rayo Vallecano, a Madrid derby that presents an opportunity for them to finally find their footing and climb up the standings.