Atlético are playing their tenth consecutive Champions League with Cholo and before that they played only eight times in the highest continental competition in their history
He is increasingly discussed, even among Atlético’s own fans, as everything gets tired, his style doesn’t pick up and he is criticized for such conservative approaches as the one in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Manchester City’s fief. Cholo’s numbers Simeone explain why the club continues to support him, with two years left on his contract, and they reward him with the highest salary for a coach in the world, around 20 million nett a year.
In a gray season, full of ups and downs and with the worst defensive records with the Argentinian on the bench (41 goals conceded in 36 games), Atlético have finally achieved its tenth consecutive Champions League qualifier with two games left. An unparalleled record in the Rojiblanca entity and which guarantees sporting and economic stability.
They could finish third in the regular tournament if they beat Sevilla next season and in the top tier continental competition they were on the cusp of knocking out Pep Guardiola’s team and beating Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Since bottoming out against Levante in the Wanda and calling himself for a 14-day mini-championship dispute, he has already racked up nine wins, two defeats and a draw. A more than remarkable record.
Cholo played his 400th league game with Atlético against Elche. A round figure who seems from another era and endorses the confidence that the rojiblancos leaders have in the Argentine. Only Luis Aragonés, Atlético legend, and Miguel Muñoz, icon of Real Madrid, are ahead of him in the Spanish tournament. If nothing changes, the next course will surpass them. He is just seven games away from Sabio de Hortaleza and a little further from the former white coach and former national team coach, who holds the record for most First Division games (424) with a club.
The comparison with the ten years before the landing of Cholo, in December 2011, is overwhelming. Atlético made only two Champions League appearances during that period, falling in the group stage of the 09-10 season, with Quique Sánchez Flores on the bench, and in the round of 16 a season earlier, with Vasco Aguirre as coach. And the previous participation in the Champions League dates back to 96-97, when Ajax lost in the quarterfinals after the double with Radomir Antic. In their entire history prior to Simeone, the rojiblancos played the European Cup only eight times.
«In an irregular season, the deserved goal is achieved. It ensures that we return to the Champions League for another year, which is especially important for the club, and allows us to envision a new season with a good vibe,” Simeone emphasized after the win from Wednesday on Martínez Valero. The 400 games? “It’s an important moment, but if not all the players were there it would be impossible to stay there that long. I’m grateful, happy because I have a club that supported me in difficult times. The tour is there, but all players who have passed have given us this opportunity.
Source: La Verdad
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