Atleti is in Manchester three weeks later and the rojiblancos fans are looked at differently depending on who is the observer. In the previous visit, Simeone and his team eliminated United and the part citizen clapped and smiled, but now things change. “Oh, from Atleti? Now to beat City, right? challenges David, who waits in a bar full of United shirts from the 90s. “You came to embitter half the city and now you are back for the other half”, sarcastically adds a client to some rojiblancos fans of the first consignment in Manchester. Actually, that message also moves between the 2,700 athletes who will cheer tonight at the Etihad, many of them doing double in the city.
Actually, half and half is not a mathematical question, because in England no, but in the city City continues to have more pull. And the second arrival of Atleti stirs up football debates in the city. Another, this one from City, instantly replied to the joker client from before: “Don’t worry, we’re going to avenge you and we’re going to show you how to play”.
The City-United debate comes to Manchester hairdressers.
CHEMA DIAZ
Atlético is gaining fame in the United Kingdom, because both of them also remember that two years ago the rojiblancos punctured Liverpool’s balloon and eliminated him. On Classic Football Shirts, a kind of museum of old garments, they have prepared a mural with red and white historical shirts. Along with him, customers also talk about Atleti and its possibilities. “I don’t know how Simeone does it, but then he wins,” comments one. “Guardiola is the best”, answers another. Thus, by the chance of the draws, Atleti sneaks into Manchester’s great rivalry.