Atlético is sweating the fat drop to stay in the Champions positions. Against Espanyol he won in the 100th minute and against Granada he was not even able to score the three points. There are five games left and Simeone sees his team with symptoms of physical and mental fatigue. Analyzing the 0-0, the technician threw in missing”fluency, brilliance, clarity” and explained that “that is achieved when you are fresh”. There are five days left and Cholo asks his people to rest, air out and then put the batteries for the final arreón.
The coach of the rojiblancos insisted after the game on the concept “illusion”. After that bump against Levante, more than two months ago, Gil Marín reminded them that they had the quality and category to get into the Champions League. Now, with the equipment installed in the lead car, but squashed by the pursuers, the technician reminds him: “Whoever is most excited will win the prize.” Simeone understands that it is not a question of level, but of being up to it.
Atlético has only added four points in a stretch of three days that seemed somewhat more friendly than what is coming. The defeat in Mallorca and the 0-0 with Granada prevent the team from distancing themselves and now curves are coming. The next exam is in San Mamés and then, the derby in the Wanda Metropolitano against Madrid, that will arrive after playing the Champions League semifinal with City and perhaps as League champion (or the possibility of being that day). Later, visit to Elche, practically saved, and the final shot: Sevilla at home and Real Sociedad away. Two direct rivals to close the League.
A break to rearm
There is more than a week left for the appointment in Bilbao and the coaching staff wants the break to serve for their players to reconnect. “We need these rest days to renew our energy”, Simeon explained. “Rest first and then come to work with hope”. Again, hope as an argument. Atlético feels the goal close, but at the same time it does not finish grabbing it. For this reason, the club and the technicians demand one last effort, without João Félix and without Lemar, for what’s to come, the five minileague, the final shot of the League of 14.