Simeone-Mendilibar, the classic duel of the benches

Simeone-Mendilibar. If there is a classic duel on the benches, it is this one, the one starring the Argentine and the Biscayan. Tonight’s will be his 18th confrontation with a very favorable balance for the rojiblanco coach: 13 wins, three draws and one loss. The notch in Mendilibar’s revolver, his particular medal since one and the other began to meet on the LaLiga benches.

The first time was almost just landed Simeone in Spain, on January 30 of that 2012 in which he debuted on the rojiblanco bench, more than ten years ago. Mendilibar, then, was in charge of Osasuna. Atletico won 0-1.

Two games later, in 2015-16, Mendilibar took charge of Eibar to become with Cholo, until last summer, the technicians with the most consecutive games in the First Division. 567 sum Simeone, 248 fulfilled Mendilibar until last summer, when his armory history ended. On December 28, he signed for an Alavés in trouble that in the first round he had beaten Atlético in Mendizorroza.

Today, a year after the last one, the most classic duel will be reissued: Simeone-Mendi. And the second with that hope in the head. Reissue his medal. That 2-0 from Eibar to Atleti, his only victory in his duels against Cholo.