Atletico Madrid’s ‘Circus Maximus’ awaits Chelsea
Madrid, Spain - It may lack a final lick of paint but "it appears like the Circus Maximus," crowed proud Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone at the special atmosphere already produced by his club's new Wanda Metropolitano home.
The opening of the 68,000 capacity stadium marks heady days for a club that has traditionally lived in the shadow of neighbour Real Madrid, none more so in the Champions League in recent years.
Atletico has fallen to Real in the quarters, semis and twice in the final in the past four seasons, but there is a sense of optimism flowing through the red and white half of Madrid as Chelsea travel to the Spanish capital for the Wanda's Champions League debut on Wednesday.
"Right now it is the best stadium in Europe," said Atletico president Enrique Cerezo ahead of its opening in a tense 1-0 win over Malaga ten days ago. "On the outside it is spectacular. On the inside it is the business."
"The more and more the fans adjust and involve themselves the stadium will be tremendous," said Simeone as the decibel levels soared after goals from Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann saw off Sevilla on Saturday.
"When the fans shouted it was tremendous, down there it appears like the Circus Maximus. It made me emotional. I am very moved."
If Atletico is to finally land a first ever Champions League, maintaining its sensational European home form under Simeone at the Calderon is essential. In 23 Champions League home games under the Argentine, Atletico has won 18, lost only once and kept 18 clean sheets.
Chelsea was one of the few sides to escape without defeat with a 0-0 draw in the semifinal, first-leg between the sides in 2014. Atletico, though, had the final say as Simeone famously charged down the Stamford Bridge touchline in celebration during a 3-1 second leg win for the Spaniards.
"For me it is the best stadium I have played in, and I don't just say that because it is my club," said Griezmann fresh from netting the Wanda's first goal.
Griezmann and co will be charged with providing the spectacle on Wednesday to ensure the Wanda's European bow isn't a damp squib.