5 reasons why Atletico Madrid can dream of the Champions League
Atletico Madrid shocked the world ousting FC Barcelona in the quarter finals of the Champions League, and now dream of making it all the way…
Atletico Madrid shocked the world ousting FC Barcelona in the quarter finals of the Champions League, and now dream of making it all the way in the competition. Although all other teams in the semifinals are Champions League champs, and Atletico is perhaps the team with the lowest budget in the round, Cholo Simeones men are used to battling uphill, and here are five reasons why they could dream of making the miracle happen this season:
1. Diego Costa
Diego Costa has been a goal-scoring machine for Atletico Madrid. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Surprisingly, Atletico Madrid made it past Barcelona without their best weapon. Diego Costa was subbed out in the first half of the first matchup at Camp Nou, and missed the second leg, and still Cholos men pulled through.
So, if you add up the effort the team put forth against Barcelona, their willingness to leave everything on the pitch, and the fact that Costa will be ready to rock come the semifinals, Colchoneros fans can dream big this year.
2. Small budgets. Big Hearts
Atletico Madrid is by far the smallest team –in financial terms– of the four semifinalists this season in the Champions League, but what they lack in money they make up with effort and courage.
The best proof was the match at Calderon against Barcelona, where they got up ahead in the scoreboard and then fought hard during 85 minutes to maintain that advantage. They may have the smallest bank account, but have the biggest hearts by far amongst the four teams.
SEE ALSO: Real Madrid survives a scare in the Champions League
3. Theres a chance they wont meet Chelsea
Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o celebrates scoring against Schalke 04 in the Champions League. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Sure, Bayern Munich seems like the strongest squad of the four teams, but Atletico Madrid is actually more scared of crossing Chelsea in the semifinals or the final. Why? Because Thibaut Courtois has a clause in his contract that would prevent him from playing against Chelsea since the British club owns his transfer rights. So unless they actually meet Mourinhos men, Atletico has a good chance of lifting the trophy.
4. They can beat any of the other three teams. Its proven!
Well, maybe not completely in Bayerns case, but hear me out: Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid last year in the Copa del Rey final and then this year at Bernabeu. They then tied 2-2 at Calderon in their Liga matchup?but they did lose 5-0 in the aggregate in this years Copa del Rey semis against the Merengues. Cholos men also beat Chelsea last year in the European Super Cup 4-1.
Of course that team wasnt coached by Mourinho, but Atletico wasnt the strong team they are today. As for Bayern, while it is not proven that the Colchoneros can actually beat them, theres a small 40 year debt Atleticos want to take care of: In their only European Cup final (1974), Atletico was winning the entire match, and ended up seeing the German side tie the scoreboard in the last minute.
The replay match ended up with a 4-0 victory, and Atleticos have since longed for the day they could take up their revenge.
SEE ALSO: FC Barcelona handed a tough sanction by FIFA
5. Their fans are probably the most loyal in Europe
Supporters of Atletico celebrate at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Many fan bases are said to be the best in Europe. In this case, I think its actually true. Its almost a known fact that Atletico Madrid has won many games thanks to their fans support, and thats something Cholo Simeone and his men dont take for granted. The stadium gives back all the passion the players put on the pitch, and the chemistry is simply amazing.
That is something that Chelsea, Real Madrid, and not even Bayern, actually have, and Atletico Madrid will hold on to it until the very end in hopes of bringing home the Champions League.
