Diego Simeone has given his Atletico Madrid players two clear instructions ahead of Saturday night's Champions League final: start well and win the midfield battle.
After clinching the La Liga title with a draw at Barcelona last weekend, the Atletico boss was happy to set out specific objectives which he believes will allow his team to complete at unprecedented double.
He said: “The first half hour will be very important, and it will also be important which teams dominates the centre of the field. The game will be played out in these two areas.”
Simeone’s emphasis on the midfield could well be a psychological barb aimed at Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in the knowledge Real’s key central midfield man, Xabi Alonso, will miss the game through suspension and his likely replacement Asier Illarramendi has been struggling for form.
He added: “One team cam dominate space, another possession. I’d like to dominate both, and think we will dominate at least one.”
Such is the ethos of Atletico, who lack the ‘Galacticos’ their city rivals enjoy parading but can point to a spirit in the camp that appears unmatched towards the top end of European football.
This is underlined by the players’ unflinching confidence in their coach.
“For the players and for everyone at the club he is like a god for us,” said Tiago. “He arrived at the club and he changed everything. We would follow him anywhere; if he asked us to jump from a bridge, we would jump. We are very proud to have him as a coach.”
Simeone was appointed to lead a struggling Atletico on December 23, 2011 and his return to the club where he had two playing spells has brought more long-lasting joy than even the most optimistic supporter could hardly have imagined.
Of the 13 players who featured in his first game as Atletico boss, a goalless draw against Malaga on January 7, 2012, nine remain in Simeone’s current squad, along with a trio of the unused substitutes from that day.
Theirs is a success that has been hard-earned.
He added: “This group of players have made it a pleasure for the technical staff. Sometimes words aren’t enough. The most difficult thing for a coach is to transmit his ideas and they’ve allowed us to do that thanks to their passion, humility, hard work and attitude.”
