Another Champions League final
and another Madrid derby. Atletico this weekend have the chance to exact
revenge over their rivals for the gut-wrenching sucker-punch of a
defeat two years ago in Lisbon – and, my, will they be motivated to
succeed.
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| Simeone |
Sources close to the squad say they have become “obsessed” with this
task; with beating the team who wrenched ‘big ears’ from their grip so
late on in 2014. Hell, Fernando Torres even says his team-mates “are
ready to die for each other”. As if the geographical rivalry weren’t
incentive enough, Atletico Madrid have more reason than ever to want to
win this single match that will shape both teams’ season.
But beyond mere psychological
factors, Diego Simeone’s extraordinarily organised and brilliantly
lethal counter-attackers have a genuine chance of finally lifting their
first ever European Cup.
Historically, Real have been the bigger and more successful club ever since Alfredo di Stefano signed and turned the rivalry on its head, but in the space of the five-year Simeone era, what was once a chasm between the teams is now non-existent.
Historically, Real have been the bigger and more successful club ever since Alfredo di Stefano signed and turned the rivalry on its head, but in the space of the five-year Simeone era, what was once a chasm between the teams is now non-existent.
Atletico have won seven of their
last 16 games against Real Madrid, a run that follows on from 25 winless
meetings and goes to show just how significantly times have changed
since the Argentine took over. Last Feburary’s 4-0 win at the Calderon
was something approaching an all-time high for Atleti.
Their resurgence is no
coincidence. They are exceptionally well drilled, so disciplined in
their defending that they have become the envy of every team in Europe;
the team to aspire to emulating without the ball. Atleti have made
defending cool.
They kept 18 clean sheets in 38 games in La Liga this season, plus another eight in the Champions League, including four in six knockout games. In their last 21 games in Europe’s elite competition, Atletico have kept 15 clean sheets.
They kept 18 clean sheets in 38 games in La Liga this season, plus another eight in the Champions League, including four in six knockout games. In their last 21 games in Europe’s elite competition, Atletico have kept 15 clean sheets.
That is a truly astonishing
record. Bayern Munich scoring twice against them in the last round was
an anomaly; that doesn’t happen often, even against the best players on
the planet.
They defend deep and narrow; strikers even drop in to midfield to add extra numbers in order to make it even more difficult to play through their heart. They thereby force teams out wide and down blind alleys. Defending crosses is their bread and butter. Centre-back Diego Godin has made 16 more clearances than any player in this season’s Champions League, with 71.
They defend deep and narrow; strikers even drop in to midfield to add extra numbers in order to make it even more difficult to play through their heart. They thereby force teams out wide and down blind alleys. Defending crosses is their bread and butter. Centre-back Diego Godin has made 16 more clearances than any player in this season’s Champions League, with 71.
Here, against Bayern Munich,
right midfielder Saul Niguez places himself inside right-back Juanfran
in such a position that he can meet Douglas Costa should he choose to
cut inside. Costa sees him and chooses to down the line, giving Atletico
exactly what they were after.
Bale returning home?
Play!
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Against Real they will do the same, intending inverted wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale
to be sent out wide onto their weaker foot rather than infield to find
positions to shoot. It is a tactic that has worked in recent meetings
between the clubs; Real have scored only two goals in their last five
Madrid derbies. Neither Ronaldo nor Bale has netted.
All said and done, this is not to suggest Atletico are limited to defending well. They know their strengths and play to them – namely without the ball – but they attack with pace, verve and dynamism to rival any other European heavyweight.
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most exciting footballers in the world, while in Saul, Koke, Gabi and Augusto Fernandez they have a midfield capable of forging openings against just about any opponent. For the amount of possession they have – no more than 27 percent in their last four Champions League ties, incidentally – they make chances with impressive frequency.
All said and done, this is not to suggest Atletico are limited to defending well. They know their strengths and play to them – namely without the ball – but they attack with pace, verve and dynamism to rival any other European heavyweight.
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most exciting footballers in the world, while in Saul, Koke, Gabi and Augusto Fernandez they have a midfield capable of forging openings against just about any opponent. For the amount of possession they have – no more than 27 percent in their last four Champions League ties, incidentally – they make chances with impressive frequency.
The hurt of the 2014 defeat will drive Atletico Madrid in Milan, but the skills, strengths and tactics upon which their game is based will provide the foundations for what could be the biggest achievement in their history.
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