The game ended at the Etihad and the general feeling at Atlético was that, Despite the 1-0, they are very much alive. The duel moves to the Wanda Metropolitano, which is preparing for its most important challenge. The comeback operation goes through the rojiblanco home, which will roar to also assert the field factor. It is the first time that Simeone’s men play a round of Champions in the new stadium. The fans are already fantasizing about a historic night. For this, the first European win at home of the season is needed, Well, Porto, Liverpool, Milan and United came out unscathed.
Of course, the Metropolitan will be filled to the brim. As soon as tickets went on sale, they flew. Only a handful left. Some subscribers will miss it because the game falls on Easter Wednesday, but also they rushed to relocate their entrance. The atmosphere will be great, with preview, welcome to the team and then 90 minutes (or more) of emotions let them play
The new red and white house was already longing for a night like this. Until now, the only Champions League knockout matches that have been played in it have been the first leg. In other words, there has been no occasion to pursue comebacks or to celebrate classifications. In that sense, the happiest night was in the 2018 Europa League semi-final, the 1-0 against Arsenal that put the team in the final. In the Champions League, good results, but they left the matter open.
In 2019, Atleti beat Juventus 2-0 (goals from Godín and Giménez), but the Italians came back on the return leg. In 2020, Saúl’s goal served to beat Liverpool at homechampion at that time and great favorite for the title. Atlético won again at Anfield, but COVID took the following qualifiers to Portugal. In 2021, also because of the pandemic, the rojiblancos were local against Chelsea in Bucharest. And this year, those from Cholo received United, another great match, although they had to settle for a 1-1 which, luckily, turned out well at Old Trafford. As the team has become accustomed to passing as second, they need to pass rounds and chance tells them to play the rounds at home.
In the Calderón yes there were several decisive nights of the European Cup. In the Simeone era, seven crosses were resolved with the Manzanares and all with a happy ending except one, the visit of Real Madrid in the 2017 semifinal, the continental goodbye to the stadium, a very special night under the deluge. The most vibrant, possibly, were the two against Barça, both in the quarterfinals. In 2014, the rojiblancos arrived after a 1-1 at the Camp Nou (that great goal by Diego) and at home they entered like thunder and in ten minutes there were already two crossbars and a goal from Koke, enough to pass. in 2016 touched overcome a 2-1 to the Barça of Messi, Neymar, Suárez, Iniesta… Griezmann’s double took Atleti to the semi-finals. They also fell in the Calderón Leverkusen (twice, 2015 and 2017), PSV (2016) and Milan (2014).
Now City arrives with all the ingredients for a hot duel. The adjusted result (Atleti needs to win, if they do it by one they will go to extra time), the duel of styles and the succulent prize of going to the semifinals. Simeone explained what he expects from the Metropolitan: “Humility, energy, work and understanding what is the way“. “Possibly the best team in the world” arrives in Madrid and the stadium prepares for its most important challenge and continues to build its own history…