Make or Break for Simeone? Atlético's Reign Hangs in the Balance

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

Make or Break for Simeone? Atlético's Reign Hangs in the Balance

The winds of change appear to be blowing through the Estadio Metropolitano, and they carry a distinct chill for head coach Diego Simeone. Once the untouchable architect of Atlético Madrid's resurgence, the Argentine's legendary reign is facing its most significant challenge yet. A series of uncharacteristic performances and results, culminating in a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano, have placed Simeone's future under intense scrutiny, with a crucial Champions League playoff against Club Brugge looming large.

The stakes couldn't be higher. The last time Atlético Madrid graced the Champions League, they were tantalizingly close to securing a coveted top-eight finish. This would have not only netted the club a substantial €18.2 million bonus but also potentially saved them from the high-pressure, high-risk knockout matches they now face. Instead, they faltered, managing just one point from a possible six, and were left watching the 'Elite' from the outside.

The nadir of their European campaign was arguably a humiliating 2-1 defeat at home to Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt. A victory by a 4-0 margin in that fixture would have seen them finish in the top eight, even bumping Pep Guardiola's Manchester City off a prime spot. Such a result would have provided a massive boost—financially and psychologically—and offered much-needed respite for tired legs. However, despite taking a 1-0 lead, Atlético capitulated, succumbing to a club from a city of just 48,000 inhabitants in their Champions League debut.

This European capitulation stands in stark contrast to their recent Copa del Rey triumphs, where they convincingly defeated Real Betis (5-0) and Barcelona (4-0). While these victories grabbed headlines and offered a temporary reprieve, they highlighted the team's alarming inconsistency. Atlético's competitive mentality has been likened to a 'wet paper bag,' a sentiment underscored by their subsequent 1-0 home loss to the same Real Betis side just three days after their emphatic Seville victory in the league.

The "Jekyll and Hyde" nature of their performances was starkly evident in their recent league fixture against Rayo Vallecano. Facing a team 15 places and 23 points below them in the standings, Atlético produced a performance of "craven surrender," slumping to a 3-0 defeat – their worst loss to their city rivals since 1981. It was a display that left even the usually stoic goalkeeper Jan Oblak fuming.

Speaking on Spanish television, Oblak did not hold back: "After this, it looks like we've tossed any chances of winning the league away. You can't lose matches in this manner. You can't put in that kind of match display. Performing like this it'll be difficult for us to be competitive. You can't pick and choose matches in which to perform. You need to play to your maximum all the time and we haven't done that here. Congratulations to Rayo – they were much better than us – we deserved to lose." His lament about the team's ability to be competitive clearly referenced the upcoming Champions League and Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.

Adding a layer of controversy, Simeone publicly disagreed with his goalkeeper's assessment. "I don't agree with what Oblak said," the coach stated. "The team doesn't choose matches; we played poorly, and when the rival plays better, and is superior they beat you." This response, which downplayed the performance issues and attributed the loss solely to playing poorly and being outmatched, has been criticized as a deflection tactic. At many other clubs, such an explanation for a dismal performance would invite severe repercussions.

Contextualizing Atlético's current predicament, statistics reveal a worrying trend. In the last decade, only twice have they endured a worse statistical position in LaLiga than they currently occupy, both times around Matchday 24 in 2020 and 2022. In 2022, Simeone himself admitted to experiencing doubts about his tenure, confessing to Diario AS that it was "the worst part of all my years at the club," citing a lack of identity, commitment, effort, and confidence in the team's play.

Fast forward to the present, and Simeone remains a polarizing figure. While he is the longest-serving coach in Spanish club history, the era of consistent trophy-lifting has waned. After an initial blitz of silverware upon his arrival, where the team played with immense vitality and a defensively impenetrable structure, the club's focus seems to have shifted towards financial sustainability, leveraging their Champions League participation for significant revenue. Despite no major trophies in five years and only one in eight, the club still reaped €85 million from the Champions League last season alone.

Adding to the uncertainty is a significant ownership change. US investment firm Apollo Sports Capital is acquiring a substantial stake, and their financial projections are unlikely to be swayed by Simeone's past glories. The new leadership, spearheaded by Mateu Alemany, is reportedly evaluating potential successors, with Marcelino García Toral and Atlético legend Fernando Torres (currently managing the B-team) being considered.

For Atlético Madrid, Champions League progression remains crucial for both sporting prestige and financial stability. Whether Simeone can once again "Houdini" his way out of this bind remains to be seen. However, should his team falter against Club Brugge, playing poorly and being outclassed, the consequences could be far more severe than the recent unpalatable defeats to Bodø/Glimt, Betis, and Rayo. This upcoming playoff match is shaping up to be a defining moment for Simeone's legacy at the club.

Ekhbary News Agency