ATLETICO MADRID
A team built in the image of their boss
Despite their beloved Colchoneros failing to qualify for the knockout stage of last season’s Champions League, no Atletico fan would dream of aiming a single word of criticism at Diego Simeone. For those of the red-and-white-striped faith, El
Cholo is the man they owe everything to, the gritty street fighter who has turned them into a European powerhouse.
That Atletico have enjoyed so much continental success in recent times – silver medals in the 2014 and 2016 Champions Leagues, the Europa League crown in May and victory over city rivals Real in August’s UEFA Super Cup – is entirely down to the state of mind that Simeone has cultivated for the past seven years, with a love of the art of defending, solidarity and grind-it-out character.
Possession stats count for little here. Never happier than when sitting back and soaking up pressure, Simeone’s side generally tend to prevail on scraps with either a devastating counter-attack or a well-rehearsed set-piece.
Of vital importance is the cutting edge represented by front-line stars Diego Costa and Griezmann. Target man Costa is all power, presence and niggling gamesmanship, while Griezmann is his subtle, elusive and quick-witted partner. Rumoured to be on the verge of a move to Barcelona this summer, Griezmann opted to stay where he was, making his announcement in a TV documentary for which two different endings were filmed.
Which area did Atletico pay particular attention to in the summer window?
A priority was high-quality wingers, with deals struck for Thomas Lemar and Gelson Martins. There was, however, quite a difference in price, with Monaco’s Lemar costing € 65m and Martins arriving for nothing after he was set free from his contractual ties following an assault on Sporting’s players by their own fans.
Will they miss Sime Vrsaljko, who has joined Internazionale?
While the Croatia right-back did well at the World Cup, he struggled in his two seasons with Atletico, often injured and inconsistent when in continental action.
Do they have enough dressing-room leaders now that Gabi and Fernando Torres have left?
It should not be a problem. Simeone is only interested in teak-tough players and has no room for the weak-willed or the ill-disciplined. As Lucas Hernandez says: “Atletico is an attitude.”