- Griezmann confessed that Simeone helped him reach his best level, and that’s why he always wanted to come back while at Barca
- After the Atletico Madrid’s loss to Manchester City last week, the Argentine’s style of play was criticized
- Atletico has won La Liga twice and reached two Champions League finals, and many players who leave later decide to return
- Simeone prefers his squad to play a tough and cautious game, especially in crucial matches
Atletico Madrid is a team that defines itself as being the underdog. Even though they are the defending La Liga champions, they prefer it that way.
For most of the games, Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid’s coach and spiritual leader, adapted his already conservative 4-5-1 system in-game to a rarely seen 5-5-0 set-up.
Atletico Madrid celebrate after winning LaLiga Santander 2020/21 title. Photo MARCA
He kept one of the best-attacking sides on the planet at arm’s length from Jan Oblak’s goal until Kevin de Bruyne picked the lock and gave Manchester City a 1-0 lead.
Some experts have slammed Simeone’s harsh tactics, including former Manchester defender Rio Ferdinand.
This season, in particular, the tale has an element of exaggeration, with Atletico Madrid scoring 57 goals in La Liga, just six behind league leaders Real Madrid.
However, Simeone prefers his squad to play a cautious, tough game in key matches.
While some players may prefer easier rides elsewhere, Simeone is an inspiring manager who has helped some lesser players overachieve while competing against the best players in the world at Barcelona and real Madrid
Atletico has won La Liga twice and reached two Champions League finals.
Many players who leave later decide to return because they know they’ll never have it as good anywhere else, even if it means sacrificing individual glory for the team’s benefit.
The most recent example is Antoine Griezmann, who left for Barcelona but returned as soon as possible.
while Diego Costa, Fernando Torres, Yan “Doubting Cholo Simeone is crazy,” Rodrigo de Paul said. “He is one of the best coaches globally, and he knows exactly what he wants.”
Atletico Madrid squad are proud of Simeone. Photo: Eurosport
“And when things don’t go well, it’s because of everybody, and when they go well, it is too. This is a club, a team. We all know that we have our responsibilities in good times and bad.
“We know that Simeone is the head of this team, the one who manages this ship, and we are all on that ship.
“We believe in what he tells us. Above all, it’s because of the way of transmitting it that El Cholo has.”
Nick Carrasco and Filipe Luis also returned to the Vicente Calderon or Wanda Metropolitano.
Despite the 1-0 setback in the first leg, Jan Oblak and Geoffrey Kondogbia spoke calmly to the media after the game in Manchester.
“We played a nice game and followed the strategy,” Kondogbia remarked on Movistar.
“I trust the group, and I feel anything is possible,” Oblak continued. “We came here hoping to have a positive result; we didn’t, but I believe the tie is still alive.”
“Apart from the goal, we defended admirably throughout the game.”
Both players were delighted, smiling and looking forward to returning to the Spanish capital.
They appeared to be thoroughly immersed in the Simeone’ cult,’ utterly trusting their coach’s word.
Tiago Mendes, a former midfielder, even referred to the coach as a “god.”
Tiago, who joined Atletico Madrid in 2010 under Gregorio Manzano, witnessed many changes after Simeone took charge and led the team to La Liga’s triumph in 2014.
“I think for us, he’s like a god for all the club,” he explained. “He arrived at the club and changed everything.
“What he says comes true. If he asks us to jump from a bridge, we jump. I think he knows a lot about football. We as a group follow him, and we’re very proud to have him as a coach.”
When you have that much faith in your coach, you are willing to suppress your natural attacking instincts and fight for the team because you trust his strategy for you and the group.
SIMEONE HELPED GRIEZMANN TO REACH HIS LEVEL BEST
Griezmann said Simeone helped him become what he wanted to be. Photo: Twitter
Griezmann is an excellent example, having arrived from Real Sociedad as a dynamic winger and transformed into a hardworking centre-forward. In attack, he’s lethal, and in defence, he’s unstoppable.
Griezmann, who jumped at the chance to return in the summer of 2021 after a difficult stint at Barcelona, confessed that Simeone helped him become what he always wanted to be “I wanted to go back to Atletico.
However, it had to happen,” he explained. “I am very content, very happy. Simeone helped me reach my best level, and for that reason, I wanted to go back.”
The French striker admitted to L’Equipe in 2018 that the first months under Simeone were tough, but the grind was worth it.
“It took six months for me to get used to defending, but now I like it,” said Griezmann.
“Sometimes with the national team, the coach tells me to defend less, but it comes automatically.
“Simeone taught me how to defend, and I will always be grateful to him for it. Now, I love defending.” “what I always dreamed of being.”
“He has a lot of balls, and I like people like that,” admitted Cristiano Ronaldo, who often proved Simeone and Atletico’s most bitter enemy during his time at Real Madrid.
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