Simeone makes Atlético champion again

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Simeone did it again. El Cholo did again to Atlético league champion in a season in which the team had to overcome many setbacks: the marches of Thomas, on the last market day, and Diego Costa in December; the sanction to Trippier by the FA; the multiples coronavirus cases that affected the performance of the squad and some injuries that also weighed down the team: João Félix could barely perform in the second half of the season due to his discomfort in his right ankle, which he had surgery on at the end of the Eurocup. The Portuguese had had a very good league start. But Atlético remained strong and on its feet in the most difficult moments, which there were, and ended up winning their eleventh league title.

To all of it he overcame Atlético, which had a spectacular start. The Madrid team was faithful to its tradition, to its history, to the way it behaved throughout its years. And he took the title on the last day with the victory against Valladolid. AS wanted to reward Atlético’s new title, also achieved in a special season due to the pandemic. Enrique Cerezo was very happy for the award granted by this newspaper. The president was especially excited to win a championship in such a difficult stage, where the stadiums were empty due to the pandemic. “I am grateful for this award. It was a very exciting championship and in the end we were able to win the trophy. I was especially excited. I loved the way this team fought, their fight game by game. “

Simeone got his second league as coach of the rojiblanco team and Oblak was the goalkeeper with the fewest goals in the championship, for which he was awarded his fifth Zamora Trophy. He equaled Ramallets and Víctor Valdés. No one has achieved six. One more challenge for the Slovenian goalkeeper, for many one of the best in the world. But the League left images for posterity, such as Simeone’s consolation to a desolate Correa after failing a clear chance against Betis, a match that ended with a one-goal draw and that at that time seemed little loot for an Atlético that was already stalking its pursuers. Simeone encouraged the forward, key in the final stretch with his goals and his dribbles …

The title was about to disappear on the penultimate round, when Osasuna scored for Wanda Metropolitano in the 75th minute. That 0-1 made Simeone’s team stagger, but the goals from Lodi and Luis Suárez and Atlético took those three points on the horn. That magical afternoon of May 16, the team knew that the title would not escape them.

It was Marcos Llorente’s League, raised from Anfield to the altars of all Atlético fans. On the 14th he won over everyone for his humility and for his work. And for his gallops and his goals. He scored 12 and gave 11 assists. A blessing for the Cholo. The same as Suárez, a gift from Barça. The Uruguayan was another of the championship players. He scored 21 goals and distributed four assists. He wanted to show that Barcelona had been wrong by letting him out. When Cholo was told the possibility of joining the team, he rubbed his hands together. It was the Savic championship, the head of defense. AND of Koke, the great captain. Trained at home is an example for everyone.

Atlético could not celebrate the title with their fans, although up to Valladolid there were several thousand followers to cheer on theirs from outside the stadium. Once again, Atlético was also the best when it came to their fans.

It was the title of Saul, who celebrated it in a big way, perhaps knowing that his departure was near. Atlético celebrated the title with the Match by match by Sabina and Leiva, a kind of anthem that motivated the staff. Finally we must talk about the numbers of the champion. He won 26 games, drew eight and lost four. He scored 67 goals and conceded 25. He led the table with 86 points. “Winning titles is not that difficult, what is difficult is turning history and you changed the history of the club when you arrived,” said Mayor Martínez Almeida. The patience in the offices, with Cerezo and Gil Marín putting all the necessary wickers, also contributed to winning one of the most even league in history. A league title well deserves the award and recognition of AS. Congratulations.

Simeone has won two league titles at Atlético and can make history in the rojiblanca entity if he wins a new league. Only two coaches had won two league trophies: Ricardo Zamora and Helenio Herrera. Zamora took the titles of the 1939-40 and 1940-41 seasons, the first two from Atlético. And Helenio Herrera, one of the most mediatic coaches in the history of football, made Atlético champion in the 1949-50 and 1950-51 campaigns. But nobody won three championships. And Simeone can achieve it, something that would place him at the top of the Madrid club. El Cholo also won the League as a player and as a coach, something that only Marcel Domingo and Luis Aragonés achieved.