Pellegrini 'baptized' Cholo

Manuel Pellegrini and Diego Pablo Simeone face off this Sunday in LaLiga for the sixth time. The current Betis coach has faced Cholo, always at Atlético, on five occasions. Two draws to zero (both with Málaga and at La Rosaleda) and three victories for the Argentine, two against Málaga and another against Betis, all in Madrid, are the baggage between the two technicians.

Curiosity comes to know that one of those goalless draws, on January 7, 2012, served for Cholo to make his official debut as Atlético de Madrid coach. Simeone had just arrived on the rojiblanco bench at the end of December, replacing Gregorio Manzano. Pellegrini directed a Malaga that would finish fourth, classified for the Champions League. The now also Betic Juanmi and Joaquín played as blue and white, although the portuense missed that game because he was injured.

With or without Simeone, Pellegrini has faced Atlético 21 times with a more balanced balance: eight wins, eight losses and five draws. The rojiblanco coach has the best record against Betis in his 18 games: 13 wins, four draws and a single loss, although it happened just two years ago and at Benito Villamarín, the scene of Sunday's game.