The Atlético de Madrid is played on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena against the Salzburg be among the 16 best in Europe. Something that has been the usual trend in the 'era Simeone’In the rojiblanco side, except in the 17/18 season, when they finished third in the group stage to win the Europa League in Lyon.
The stakes are high on the sporting front, but also on the economic side. Because in the offices of the Metropolitan they encrypt at, at least, 20 million euros the loss that would mean for the entity not being in the next phase of the largest continental competition.
This, taking as a reference what was entered last season and, as we say, at least. Because only in Wednesday's game there is more than 12 million euros at stake (2.7 for the victory plus 9.5 for being in the round of 16). To these must be added other concepts such as the market-pool, the possibility of continuing to advance rounds and even the possibility that at the end of February, when the first leg of the round of 16 would be played, the Metropolitan could already enter the public, which it would also mean extra income for the club.
If already this source of income, which is the Champions League, is vital for Atlético de Madrid under normal circumstances, it is much more so now, when the pandemic caused by the coronavirus has already made a significant hole in the bank's accounts. From the Metropolitano they value the loss that this has meant for Atlético at one hundred million euros.
Everyone in the team knows the significance of Wednesday's game. They accept that it qualifies as a final, because it is what it is for Atlético at all levels. Losing to Salzburg would be a serious blow to the club. And in the locker room, starting with Simeone, are aware of it.