Vicente Calderon is an intimidating place to visit. Atletico Madrid are an intimidating team to play against. But perhaps the most intimidating factor of all is the presence of a man prowling near the touchline in a black suit. Diego Simeone has become quite the cult figure in Madrid and across the globe.
Simeone and Atletico are somewhat of a rare phenomenon in world football. A perfect marriage.
Since taking over the Madrid side, the 46-year-old has made them almost into an extension of himself during his playing days. Organised, intense and an absolute horror to play against due to their relentless high-tempo pressing and belief that as long as they don’t concede, they wont lose.
The red side of Madrid are enjoying a purple patch in their history winning the league and reaching the final of the Champions League a couple of season’s ago. The former player with the Midas touch is making their dreams come true.
So what has he done here that has taken Atletico to the upper echelons of football
They are a team that play as a team. They play for each other and with each other with a selflessness that’s almost enviable. Right from the strikers, they press and fall back diligently, a fact that has been proved by the 33 clean sheets this season.
Add to the fact that over the past decade, they have managed to get some of the best strikers and goalkeepers wearing their badge, it’s a recipe for success.
But more than the personnel, it’s the method to their madness that makes Atletico so dangerous: a counter attacking team that brings the ball out from the back. Often times Atletico have their whole team 30 yards from goal and more often than not when they break, the players are given the freedom to take on their markers and beat them allowing the forwards to make their runs and get higher up the field and stretch the game. Right from left back Felipe Luis to Gabi in the middle and Antoine Griezmann up front, the first thought is to take the man on during tough situation and then look for the pass. A brave approach but one that is complemented by the skill and hunger of the players and the trust that even if one loses out, the other will be there to shore it up.
The former La Liga champions are by no means an attractive side to watch with their dogged style, but to say that there is no beauty in it would be stretching things too far. With their never-say-die attitude and their ability to draw energy from their fans to fuel their performance, they are a side that anyone would gladly support. For their opponents they are a frustrating nightmare from which you are unable to wake up.
For the neutrals, Atletico are the team they want to see win. They leave it all on the field and at a time where ‘luxury’ players are catered to and in-demand, Simeone’s men are the antithesis to the trend.
