For me, I consider Athletico Madrid a mediocre team due to the way the club's hierarchy runs the affairs of the club, for several years Athletico Madrid can only boast of maybe one or two la liga titles and two champions league runners up and yet the club went ahead to retain Diego Simeone who has only succeeded in making the club a third place figure despite spending huge amount of money in the transfer market over the years, I think its time for a change at club.
How you will know they're not a serious club is how they still allow Diego Simeone to remain as their coach. They should have parted ways a long time ago. I understand he has built something at the club, but he can't do more than he has already done for them. Atletico Madrid has no excuse for not winning trophies. For the past two or three summer transfer windows, they've spent more money than Barcelona, yet Barcelona has been more successful than them.
Until Atletico Madrid gets a new manager who can build on what Simeone has already built, they will not succeed. I said it before the season started that, despite the fact that they were spending money in the market, they would still not have a good season. This season will be exactly like last season.
They need a new manager that with a winning mentality. They need fresh ideas. they may be too sentimental to change, and that shows they're not ready.