Much has been made of Jurgen Klopp’s comment last night that Arsenal are potential Champions League winners, following the Gunners’ 1-0 away victory over Borussia Dortmund, but down in Madrid, something remarkable was happening.
Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 humbling of Austria Vienna not only ensured their passage to the last 16, but along with results elsewhere, guaranteed that they would finish their group in first place with two games left to play.
While Arsenal’s form has been a surprise, the Gunners have featured in the Champions League for 16 consecutive campaigns and are veterans of the continent’s biggest prize.
Atletico Madrid, by contrast, are making only their fourth appearance in the competition since the Champions League era began in 1992 and in comparison to the Gunners are real dark horses.
Diego Simeone’s side are in the midst of a momentous run of form at the moment, becoming the first Spanish team to tie down first place in their Champions League group this year. Is it about time we started taking them seriously as competitors for the trophy?
With Zenit and Porto drawing in the early kick-off last night, the pressure was on Atletico Madrid to get the job done at the Calderon, aware that early qualification in first place would hand them the perfect opportunity to rest players in the next two games, something that could prove hugely important considering their humble squad.
Critics may point out that it was ‘only’ Austria Vienna they faced, but a 4-0 victory, with 12 shots on goal to their opponents’ one is about as conclusive a result as can be found in the Champions League this week. That David Villa never kicked a ball, while Adrian left the game at half time adds further weight to their performance. Pressure, what pressure?
The result was in keeping with Atletico’s season. Last weekend, their comfortable victory over Athletic Bilbao came in stark contrast to Real Madrid and Barcelona, who look shaky, vulnerable and far from the finished product.
That Simeone’s side got the job done early in Europe – where their more illustrious compatriots have not – is not only due to the standard of their group, but also the way in which Los Colchoneros have been able to control games, always playing on their own terms, never on their opponent’s. Unlike Barca and Madrid.
The numbers so far reflect that. Atletico currently have 12 points in Group G, with four wins out of four, only two goals conceded and 12 in their favour. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have won three and drawn one in their respective groups, meanwhile, with Madrid conceding more goals than Atleti (Ancelotti’s side have shipped four) and Barcelona scoring less (Martino’s have only scored nine).
Atletico’s statistics place them in the ranks of the European elite this season. Their goal difference of plus 10 is only bettered by Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain (who both command a plus ten difference), while Real Madrid have the same goal difference but less points. Not bad company to be in for a team playing their first Champions League football since 2009, when they were knocked out in the group stage.
Yet while their absence from the competition in recent years has hurt supporters, Simeone’s men have used the Europa League as the ideal preparation for a strong run in its more prestigious sibling.
Winners of Europe’s second tier in 2011/12 under the Argentine coach, they then tested themselves against stronger European pedigree in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup, defeating then Champions League holders Chelsea 4-1. It was a statement of intent that may have been forgotten by some, but provided a reminder of where Atleti were heading.
This season, the result of Simeone’s work is plain to see. No longer a highly effective, albeit one-dimensional counter-attacking side, Atletico are now equally happy to sit deep and play on the break, or alternatively, press high and play their best football in the opposition half. It is this newfound versatility that makes them so dangerous and unpredictable. As defender Diego Godin recently said, ‘every game is different’.
They can’t be accused of only getting the job done against minnows, either. Notably, Atletico have already played both of Spain’s big two this season, and came out unscathed, yet to be defeated. Barcelona took the Spanish Super Cup on away goals after drawing 1-1 at the Calderon, but failed to score against Atleti at the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid were defeated 1-0 by Diego Costa and co. at the Bernabeu in La Liga.
Both games were approached in entirely distinctive ways by Los Colchoneros, but in both they proved effective.
There is more to the Champions League than just their main domestic rivals, but the case for Atletico to produce the most shocking run since Porto’s victory in 2004 is growing stronger by the game.
Not only solid at the back, they also have plenty of talent up front and in midfield, and in a knockout competition, where fine margins decide games, being able to choke the opposition as well as take chances at the other end puts them in good stead.
Lest we forget, Malaga came within a whisker of the semi-finals last season with a team that, though peppered with quality, lacked the consistency of talent from front to back that Simeone’s side currently possess. So why couldn’t Atletico do the same?
Like their domestic progress, much will depend on injuries. A major problem for Koke or Diego Costa could hit them hard, but then again, isn’t that the case for every side? Would Barcelona not be in danger of derailing if Iniesta and Messi face time off? Real Madrid, with Ronaldo or Xabi Alonso, would likewise note difficulties (and indeed, in the case of the latter, already have). Even Bayern Munich, who have an excellent squad, would surely feel the impact of long term problems for Franck Ribery or Philipp Lahm.
That Atletico have two ‘free’ group stage games left to play works hugely in their favour if they want to avoid such injury problems to key players. Simeone now has an opportunity to give Oliver Torres in particular a couple of games in sequence to see how he really copes with the demands of elite football, while El Cholo can also give Toby Alderweireld much needed minutes, and in turn facilitate the resting of either Miranda or Diego Godin.
Leo Baptistao, meanwhile, the hugely exciting Brazilian forward signed from Rayo Vallecano in the summer, is likely to have a chance to find his rhythm after returning from injury. These are luxuries that Simeone has earned after getting things right early on in the group, thanks to his endless hard work.
Bigger challenges are yet to come for Atletico, and there will be plenty of twists on the domestic front that could eat into their humble European ambitions, but don’t be fooled, those ambitions are real.
Simeone finally conceded that much last night when he told the press, “I never said it’s impossible to win the Champions League. Just that we have to take it game by game, with humility.”
At the moment, that approach is working like a charm. Playing the way they are playing, regardless of the stature of their opponents, they have a chance.
How highly do you rate the current Atletico Madrid side? Let us know below…