Mario Hermoso: What is heard from the outside doesn't affect Atletico Madrid Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid Reassured that the players are united

Mario Hermoso has made clear that Atletico Madrid's players are not paying attention to the criticism they have received, despite having had a mixed start to the season.

The Atletico defender also explained the importance of his teammates sticking together.

"The team is united, which is the important thing," Hermoso said at Atletico's press conference ahead of their match with Bayer Leverkusen.

"Maybe we haven't been lucky enough to accompany it with results.

"We consider ourselves to be demanding and we want to make big leaps, but what is heard from outside doesn't affect us.

"We know how we have to work, which is the important thing."

The former Espanyol centre-back also discussed his adaption to Atletico.

"When you join a team, it is never easy, and especially at Atletico, who have been working for many years," Hermoso added.

"They have made a spectacular leap and it is never easy for players who have come to adapt [to the way of playing].

"We have teammates who have helped us a lot, alongside the coaching staff.

"We are all very important. It is never pleasant to play because of teammates' injuries, but in the end that's why there is the team.

"[You have to] take advantage of the opportunities and be useful when the coach needs you.

"Everyone takes advantage of their moment when they have it."

Diego Simeone is considered to be one of the most demanding coaches in LaLiga Santander in terms of his players' defensive work and Hermoso stressed that it may take him time to acclimatise.

"It is true that if Atletico have been characterised by something, it is because they are a team that works very well with all the lines [defence, midfield and forwards] together," he noted.

"Perhaps the ones who stand out the most are the defenders and the goalkeeper, but it is the whole team.

"There are different concepts regarding what I was doing [at Espanyol] and there are different ways of defending.

"Adapting to it may be the most difficult thing."