How Simeone lifted the curse of Atlético
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
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With Club Atlético de Madrid agreeing new terms until 2020 with Diego Simeone, UEFA.com's Joseph Walker explains how the Argentinian has transformed the Rojiblancos.
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A new contract means Diego Simeone will continue as Club Atlético de Madrid coach until 2020, with the 44-year-old having helped revive the team's fortunes since arriving in 2011, as UEFA.com explains.
He lifted the curse
In two spells as a midfielder at the Vicente Calderón, Simeone will have become aware of Atlético's nickname 'el Pupas' (the jinxed one). When he was appointed coach in December 2011, they had just been been dumped out of the Copa del Rey by third-division Albacete Balompié and sat tenth in the Liga, seemingly going nowhere. Within six months, Simeone had led the Rojiblancos to a second UEFA Europa League success in three seasons and they then outclassed Chelsea FC 4-1 in the UEFA Super Cup.
There was no further sign of the bad luck that had traditionally dogged them when, in May 2013, Atlético recorded their first victory over neighbours Real Madrid CF in 14 years as they won the Copa del Rey in their back yard – triumphing 2-1 after extra time at the Santiago Bernabéu – also finishing third in the league to earn a UEFA Champions League spot. Twelve months later the club lifted their first Spanish title in 18 years as the Colchoneros broke the Real Madrid-Barcelona FC duopoly of the preceding decade. They were, of course, also seconds away from capturing the European Cup in Lisbon ...
Atlético now rule the city
Indeed, since overcoming Madrid in that 2013 domestic decider, Simeone's side have held the upper hand in Spanish capital derbies – with the notable exception of last season's UEFA Champions League final. The teams have even met six times this term with Atlético yet to lose. They downed the Merengues over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup, knocked them out of the Copa del Rey (4-2 on aggregate), and last month completed a league double with a resounding 4-0 Calderón triumph to blow the championship race wide open.
Last Friday's Nyon draw then saw the city rivals pitted together in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Atlético may even go into the tie as favourites.
He has instilled a mighty team ethic
If you had to sum up Simeone's Atlético in one word it would be 'teamwork'. All 11 players are sent out to do a job – sometimes out of position, sometimes in a style that goes against their natural instincts – but they always give a colossal effort and seem to hang on their coach's every word. There is a real sense of unity between players and coach, as midfielder Tiago attested this week: "I've heard the new contract will be five years, but we players would love it to be ten."
Atleti's success is built on a strong defence
While Atleti have usually boasted exciting strike forces, the standout facet of Simeone's side is their defensive solidity. On their way to the 2013/14 Liga crown, the Rojiblancos shipped only 26 goals in 38 games – 13 fewer than any other team – and they conceded just six en route to last May's UEFA Champions League final. With ten matches to go in the current top-flight campaign, they have let in a mere 23 goals, while in eight European ties Simeone's outfit have been breached three times – keeping six clean sheets into the bargain.
He has brought togetherness
As with any club, there have been differences of ideas and opinions between Atlético's management, board and fanbase down the years, yet the return of Simeone proved the catalyst to turn the Colchoneros into a united organisation. Everyone appears to be pulling in the same direction, and with the Argentinian at the helm for five more years, even greater achievements may lie ahead.