Practically handed a world-class scorer by one in every of his high rivals, Atletico Madrid rode Luis Suarez’s objectives to show his former workforce unsuitable, and the aggressive all-time promotion promoted by Diego Simeone for the Spanish League title. For-one spirit.
Here’s how Atletico defeated Real Madrid and Barcelona for his or her first Liga crown in seven years:
An ideal reward
With Barcelona sinking into mounting debt and coming off the season with no title, the membership reported Suarez _ in September as a minimum of their third all-time main scorer _ that they wanted to discover a new residence.
After shifting to Italy, Barcelona shocked his followers by promoting Atletico cheaply to Suarez to scale back his wage. The switch charge which might solely attain 6 million euros ($ 7 million) with add-ons was a really small quantity for a participant who scored 21 objectives for Barcelona final season.
The deal proved to be a boon for Simeon. Finally, he had a ferocious finisher in Suarez, who has misplaced tempo on the age of 34, however maintains his killer intuition when the ball reaches wherever close to the online. The Uruguay striker scored 21 objectives for his new membership and gave it an intimidating attacking level that additionally made room for his teammates.
This included the winner of Suarez within the ultimate two video games of the season for Atlético, the place he was trailing. Suarez’s 88th minute strike put Osatuna 2–1 within the second-to-last spherical to place Atlético in entrance of Madrid. And none had been larger than their second-half purpose to win backwards towards Vladimir.
Following the victory in Valladolid, Suarez was overcome by a surge of emotion, which introduced collectively the enjoyment of victory and the satisfaction of regretting his exit to Barcelona. After hugging his teammates and coaches, Suarez sat on the sphere and made a video name to his spouse and kids, the place he cried brazenly.
Suarez mentioned by means of his tears after the finals, “It’s been a tough season for the position that I had to go through, insulting him the way he did (by Barcelona) and Atletico opened their doors for me. lamps.” Whistle. “I’ll at all times be grateful to this nice membership for this. I’ve been in soccer for a few years and I believe it has been essentially the most tough yr for me.
The man in black
Simeon’s endurance, his skill to have interaction his gamers and retain his religion after almost a decade in control of the membership, units Argentina other than the overwhelming majority of his teaching brothers.
Since taking up the membership in January 2012, he has by no means shied from his mantra of “game by game” shifting ahead, a message that by no means lets his gamers turn out to be complacent or focus their consideration on the match. Nor has Simeon ever been embarrassed by rivals who criticize his no-frills, defense-first taking part in fashion. While Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was silenced with out followers as a result of epidemic, Simeon was nonetheless a power to be reckoned with as he trailed the touchline in his all-black coat and tie.
But this doesn’t imply that Simeon is totally ready in his personal means. After years of liking the 4-7-2 formation, Simeon deployed a 3–5–2 to make use of the three-man backline this season. The centerback trio of Stefan Savic, Filip Augusto and Mario Hermoso allowed wing backs to pursue Renan Lodi and Kieran Trippier and assist Kok Resurekian’s midfield. Zinedine Zidan and Ronald Coman additionally used three-man defenses in Madrid and Barcelona respectively. The distinction was that Atletico did so with out lacking extra possibilities. And when the attackers had been freed, it was Jan Oblak to cease them. The Slovenian goalkeeper resorted to a protection that allowed a league-low 25 objectives in 38 video games.
Simeon grew to become essentially the most profitable coach in his membership’s historical past together with his second league title, his quantity reaching eight trophies ever since he turned Atletico right into a winner.
A severe taskmaster by day, Simeon burst into laughter after the ultimate whistle on Saturday and didn’t lose his enormous grin afterwards. He hugged his household earlier than leaping into the workforce bus as his gamers celebrated the Queen’s “We’re the Champions”.
Great begin, gritty end
Atlético had a fantastic begin to the season, equaling a membership document with 50 factors within the _ first 19 rounds _ within the opening half of the season. This allowed the Red-and-White to open a double-digit lead over each Madrid and Barcelona. Then there was lethargy, and a bonus that appeared inaccessible shortly diminished to only two factors. Atletico winced and began successful once more, whereas his rivals slipped of their pursuit. Atletico’s 0–0 draw at Camp Nou earlier this month dashed Barcelona’s possibilities of overtaking them on the wire.
function gamers
It was speculated to be Joao Felix’s Year of Shining, which offered Suarez’s expertise in addition to youth and drama. The 21-year-old Portugal ahead, nonetheless, failed to take care of his promising begin to the marketing campaign and was dominated out of Simeon’s beginning 11.
Simeon turned to the much less enticing however simpler Marcos Lorente, Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco to assist them hit the goal.
After his breakout final season, when he scored twice at Anfield to assist Liverpool end from the Champions League, Lorente offered Simeon with a flexible participant, a ahead, a midfielder and a wing again Played as. He scored 12 objectives. Korea added 9 objectives, together with a draw towards Valladolid. And whereas Atletico had been stumbling down the stretch, Carrasco, a quick left-wing winger, scored 4 objectives and had 4 assists down the stretch.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
