The Argentine coach will celebrate 11 years in charge of the rojiblanco team: we review his main achievements and his less successful points in this important period for the colchoneros
This Sunday, December 4, Diego Pablo el Cholo Simeone has completed 4000 days as coach of the Atletico Madrid. Practically 11 years that have gone a long way. Beyond the successes and failures, successes and mistakes, what remains is a legacy for history. No rojiblanco fan will ever be able to forget the impact of the Argentine coach.
Broadly speaking, one can look at the titles. Two leagues, 2 Europa Leagues, 2 European Super Cups, 1 Copa del Rey and 1 Spanish Super Cup. Bearing in mind that it has been the decade of the best Messi in the FC Barcelona and the best Cristiano Ronaldo in the real Madridis a resounding success.
The main achievement in Simeone’s 4000 days: respect in Europe
But, beyond titles, the 4000 days of Simeone They can be summed up in one piece of information. Until Simeone came to the bench, Atlético de Madrid had only played in the European Cup 7 times. 7 times in over 50 years. Simeone has not only changed the dynamic but has placed Atlético among the most feared on the old continent.
They are already 10 consecutive years playing the maximum continental competition. But not just disputing, competing like the most. In Lisbon he was one minute away from raising the orejona. In Milan to a penalty… Two European Cup finals, in 2014 and 2016, which will remain forever as wounds that are impossible to heal. But at the same time they place Simeone’s Atlético in the Olympus of the best teams of the 21st century.
Compete one on one against Real Madrid
Those two lost finals were, precisely, against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid. But times have changed a lot. Now against Real Madrid they lose finals, some, but not all. Instead, you always compete. Before Cholo arrived, Real Madrid accumulated 14 derbies in a row, winning with relative ease. “Wanting a worthy rival for a decent derby” read a banner.
SimeoneIn these 4,000 days, he has not only competed face to face with Real Madrid. It has even been the only team capable of winning a final against the white team so far this century. He did it in the Copa del Rey, played at the Santiago Bernabéu and also in a European Super Cup. In league derbies there have even been wins, such as the 4-0 win at the Vicente Calderón on February 7, 2015.
Joao Félix the blackest point in Simeone’s 4000 days at Atlético
If we have to choose a black point in this journey, it will surely be the clash with some players called to be the franchise player. The clearest case is that of a Joao Félix who has been the most expensive signing in the club’s history. However, Simeone has never liked Portuguese. So much so that now, at the gates of the January market, it is very possible that he will end up leaving through the back door.
A Joao Félix who is not a starter at Atlético de Madrid, but he is from the game in Portugal, one of the favorite teams to win the World Cup in Qatar. It IS Simeone’s big mole, but no one will remember it after a few years. He will always remain the legacy, the way of competing in Spain, the titles won against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Simeone is and will be the history of Atlético de Madrid.
