From the quarter-finals to being eliminated from the group stage of the Champions League (and as the last classified) in just six and a half months. After many years being one of the animators of the continental competition and the Europa League, Atlético de Madrid's journey through Europe has led to an unexpected end this season.
The defeat against Porto on the last day leaves the rojiblanco club with no chance of even consoling itself with playing for the second European title at an important level, a trophy they have lifted three times, the last two with Diego Pablo Simeone at the helm (2012 and 2018).
Precisely since the arrival of the Argentine coach on the bench, it had never happened that on November 1 the club was outside Europe. The year 2006 had been the last time that the colchoneros had failed to qualify for any continental tournament.
One of the causes of Atlético's failure is the loss of its defensive reliability. The 'Cholo' teams had always been characterized by being very organized tactically and granting few opportunities, a trend that has changed in recent seasons.
The 20 goals conceded in just 18 official games this season do not leave the red-and-white rearguard in a very good place, nor does their coach, an idol of the fans who is difficult to question. The previous season they also finished with a very high number of goals against: 56 goals between the League and the Champions League, the two main competitions (1.16 goals against per game, the same average as in the first 18 games of the course).
Simeone acknowledged at a press conference that Atlético's level in Europe has dropped. "It also happened to us last year. When we went to the round of 16 we were braver, but in last year's group it was also difficult for us. The year before, too. It is difficult for us. We have to accept it and see how we can improve in Europe , because the numbers are bad. We scored goals in almost every game, we scored little and almost all the superior teams were".
The bad numbers behind now cost to compensate in attack. Luis Suárez left the team this summer and Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata returned. The flashes of the two strikers are currently insufficient, especially in Europe. Only the Frenchman has been able to see the door in six games, and only once.
Atlético also misses Joao Félix. There were high hopes placed on the Portuguese striker, but his performance is still far from the 127 million euros that Benfica was paid in his day. His pluses and minuses of him with Simeone this season have put him in the background in the team. In Do Dragao he was a starter, but he didn't measure up either.
It remains to be seen what Atlético will do in the face of the winter market, a club with aggravated economic difficulties since the pandemic. This summer they have only paid 20 million euros for the side Nahuel Molina. Axel Witsel arrived for free and Reguilón on loan. The latter, due to injury, has not been able to debut yet.
"We ended up in the place we deserved. Accept reality and, from there, another stage comes that starts tomorrow, which is the League, what's left of the Copa del Rey, becoming strong, being all together to get out of this difficult moment. We're going to pull it off, for sure. I'm still confident. We have good players".
Who also spoke after the game was Antoine Griezmann, one hundred percent - like most of the dressing room - to Simeone. "He's getting along very well. We're here under his orders to work with him, that it's an honor to work with him, to play for this club, but we have to show it later on the pitch". And he added: "We have nothing to say to the fans, thank you for the work you are doing in the stadium and away from home, we listen to you. They don't deserve this. Now, let's get down to business."
