It was an historic night in Barcelona as Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid won the La Liga title for the first time since 1996.
But, how did they accomplish it?
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Emilio Morenatti
Emilio Morenatti
1. Big-game pedigree
Atleti played Barca six times this season and never suffered a defeat. In four games against Real Madrid, they lost once. In Simeone’s short spell as manager, Atleti have won a Europa League, a UEFA Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and now a La Liga title. Heading into today’s game against Barca, many were worried by the possibility of Atletico cracking under the pressure. But, although the circumstances at the Camp Nou were unfamiliar, Atleti have developed a boundless self-belief in the games that count.
2.Defensive solidarity
Andres Kudacki / AP/Press Association Images
Andres Kudacki / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Barcelona scored 99 goals in La Liga this season. Real Madrid scored 101. Atleti scored seventy-six. They’re certainly not the Spanish club team that provides the greatest entertainment. But, that’s not what wins you titles. Balance is. And Atleti’s defence enjoyed an incredibly impressive campaign. The team conceded just twenty-five goals. That’s the lowest tally since Guardiola’s Barca won the title at their peak in 2011. It’s frighteningly meagre. And, as the season ebbed towards its climax, Atleti relied on their defensive abilities to get them over the line. The last time they hit more than two goals in a league game was back in mid-February. Ever since, virtually each match was a tight affair. Down to the agonising final few minutes of today’s battle with Barca, Atleti were dogged and determined at the back, not allowing their opponents find any gaps. It was disciplined and inevitably proved the team’s greatest strength. How fitting their centre-back, Diego Godin, popped up with the all-important equaliser.
3. Simeone’s impressive managerial nous
Manu Fernandez / AP/Press Association Images
Manu Fernandez / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Throughout the entire campaign, 1996 has consistently been brought up as a reference point. But, though Raddy Antic’s side (with Simeone a key member of it) enjoyed remarkable success, they never had the work-load that this current Atleti side had to take on board. After their La Liga triumph eighteen years ago, Atleti struggled to fight on both a domestic and European front. They struggled with Champions League hangovers. They eventually paid for a lack of discipline and were eliminated from the 1997 tournament by Ajax. But Simeone’s charges have already tasted European success and, this year, have had the stamina and ambition to march towards both La Liga and Champions League success. They were supposed to struggle as the finish-line approached. Instead, Simeone instilled a relentless self-belief and a voracious appetite for winning.
3 reasons why Atletico Madrid are the new kings of Spain
It was an historic night in Barcelona as Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid won the La Liga title for the first time since 1996.
But, how did they accomplish it?
1. Big-game pedigree
Atleti played Barca six times this season and never suffered a defeat. In four games against Real Madrid, they lost once. In Simeone’s short spell as manager, Atleti have won a Europa League, a UEFA Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and now a La Liga title. Heading into today’s game against Barca, many were worried by the possibility of Atletico cracking under the pressure. But, although the circumstances at the Camp Nou were unfamiliar, Atleti have developed a boundless self-belief in the games that count.
2. Defensive solidarity
Barcelona scored 99 goals in La Liga this season. Real Madrid scored 101. Atleti scored seventy-six. They’re certainly not the Spanish club team that provides the greatest entertainment. But, that’s not what wins you titles. Balance is. And Atleti’s defence enjoyed an incredibly impressive campaign. The team conceded just twenty-five goals. That’s the lowest tally since Guardiola’s Barca won the title at their peak in 2011. It’s frighteningly meagre. And, as the season ebbed towards its climax, Atleti relied on their defensive abilities to get them over the line. The last time they hit more than two goals in a league game was back in mid-February. Ever since, virtually each match was a tight affair. Down to the agonising final few minutes of today’s battle with Barca, Atleti were dogged and determined at the back, not allowing their opponents find any gaps. It was disciplined and inevitably proved the team’s greatest strength. How fitting their centre-back, Diego Godin, popped up with the all-important equaliser.
3. Simeone’s impressive managerial nous
Throughout the entire campaign, 1996 has consistently been brought up as a reference point. But, though Raddy Antic’s side (with Simeone a key member of it) enjoyed remarkable success, they never had the work-load that this current Atleti side had to take on board. After their La Liga triumph eighteen years ago, Atleti struggled to fight on both a domestic and European front. They struggled with Champions League hangovers. They eventually paid for a lack of discipline and were eliminated from the 1997 tournament by Ajax. But Simeone’s charges have already tasted European success and, this year, have had the stamina and ambition to march towards both La Liga and Champions League success. They were supposed to struggle as the finish-line approached. Instead, Simeone instilled a relentless self-belief and a voracious appetite for winning.
Atletico Madrid win historic Spanish league title
As it happened: Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, La Liga title decider
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