The more recent success-story of the ‘Rojiblancos’ is closely connected with their head coach Diego Simeone. Since the Argentine took charge in the winter of 2011, Atlético de Madrid have earned themselves a place amongst the top clubs in Europe and turned Spain’s two-way league battle between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid into a three-way affair.
In his first season at the club, the now 48-year-old claimed the UEFA Europa League in the summer of 2012. And they were no less successful in the following campaign: Taking third spot in the Spanish league, Atlético secured direct qualification for the Champions League. The highlights of the season were winning the UEFA Supercup against FC Chelsea and the domestic cup final against city-rivals Real Madrid.
But Diego Simeone and his team were to top their exploits in 2012/2013: In summer 2014, Atlético won the Spanish championship and made it to the final of the UEFA Champions League, which, following a last-gasp equaliser by Sergio Ramos (90’+3), ultimately ended in a 1-4 extra-time defeat to Real Madrid.
Team commitment and individual class
Two years later, the #Rojiblancos' eliminated FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich along the way to again reaching the final of the Champions League. Once again however, Atlético were narrowly foiled at the final hurdle by city-rivals Real – with the match eventually being decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Last season, the ‘Rojiblancos‘ finished in second place as runner-up in the Spanish league ahead of their infamous neighbours. In addition, Atlético beat Olympique Marseille 3-0 to again take the Europa League title in May.
Not only have Atlético impressed through their exceptional commitment as a team unit, with an extremely difficult defence to breach, but also based on their outstanding individual class: In Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernández, the ‘Rojiblancos’ boast two vital pillars of the French World Cup winning team within their ranks. To add to that, a further French World Cup winner in Thomas Lemar is also now on his way from French club AS Monaco to the side from the Spanish capital. The 22-year-old will look to cause problems down the left wing.
The greatest successes of Atlético de Madrid at a glance
10 x Spanish champions: 2014, 1996, 1977, 1973, 1970, 1966, 1951, 1950, 1941, 1940
10 x Spanish cup winners: 2013, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1985, 1976, 1972, 1965, 1961, 1960
3 x Europa League winners: 2018, 2012, 2010
1 x World Club champions: 1975
1 x European Cup Winner’s cup winners: : 1962
2 x UEFA Supercup winners: 2013, 2011
2 x Spanish Supercup winners: 2015, 1986