Diego Simeone is not only an Atletico Madrid legend, but also the only manager who has managed to break the Barcelona and Real Madrid duopoly after he turned Atletico from a "La Liga Also Ran Side" to European football heavyweights.
El Cholo took over in 2011 after Atletico finished 7th in the previous season but he quickly transformed the side to a high intensity spirited side winning multiple trophies despite having a limited budget, yet all that seems like history considering how his side have plummeted since the highs of the 2015/2016 season where they narrowly lost on penalty to Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. In less than six years in the Spanish capital , El Cholo has reached two UEFA Champions League finals (Atletico last reached the Champions League knockout in 1997 before his arrival), won the UEFA Cup not forgetting their 2013/2014 La Liga title (first time in a decade a team outside Barcelona or Real Madrid won the league and 2002 the last season Atletico finished in top three in La Liga) all these despite losing his best players year in year out (Diego Costa, Radamel Falcao, Arda Turan and Miranda to mention but a few).
Under the Argentine, Atletico have become one of the most difficult sides to play in Europe boasting one of the best defences, unrivalled team spirit and drive as well as a perfect and compact closely knitted unit that is bonded by the push of achieving the impossible. Unlike his rivals who boast the best talents, Simeone have achieved the impossible with certain players who would normally not made the grade at other rival clubs with the likes of Juanfran, Gabi, Felipe Luis and SA who having thrived perfectly under his tutelage.
This season things appear to be falling apart for the Great tactician as Atletico have struggled to score goals unable to beat little known Qarabag in two legs in UEFA Champions League leading to their exit in the first round for the first time under his with his worst result before this season in the competition been their quarter-final exit in 2014/2015 season. Over the years the Argentine have succeeded to drag the last bit of quality from his players who appear ready to take a bullet for him judging from their performance on the pitch.
In the league , the story is not so different as the Capital side have failed to win many of their games even against less talented side despite not losing any league game at present but recording a woeful six draws from 14 games (3rd in the league) five points behind leaders Barcelona. Although been in 3rd place in La Liga cannot be said to be a failure yet watching Someone's side it is clear that his drive and energy might be at the point of diminishing returns as results since last season have shown they have been gradually slipping as title contenders each season since their win in 2014 with Europe been their theatre of dreams which is not the case having seen them eliminated on Tuesday after drawing Chelsea.
It might be a little bit harsh to start speculating that Simeone appears unable to push Atletico any further than he has already done all these years judging from his spectacular achievements yet it might be the case of been a victim of his own success after raising the bar so high with success since his appointment six years ago.
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