Although Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 at Real Madrid in the first leg, their performance was impressive in several ways. It was, though, some distance from the old-style ‘Dogs of War’ approach for which Diego Simeone’s team were previously renowned.
Atletico’s best moments at the Bernabeu were when they got hold of the ball in midfield — with Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann linking up neatly and Simeone’s side dominating possession at times.
This showed a different side of a club who reached two Champions League finals earlier in Simeone’s now 14-year reign — losing in both 2014 and 2016 against their local rivals Real, who also eliminated them in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
It was actually their defending, for which Simeone’s Atletico have been so famous during his time in charge, which let the team down. Tonight, the Metropolitano atmosphere recalls the blood and thunder associated with some of the glorious European nights of Simeone’s tenure.
But down on the pitch, his new-look team are likely to again look to play with more possession, fashioning moves and creating chances. And maybe this will see them turn the tie around and finally get one over on Real in Europe’s biggest club competition.
Atletico Madrid in 2025: Does more control and less fury make them a better side?
