Who commented on the merits and demerits of ten years? Atletico Madrid under Simeone s rule: an epic intertwined with controversy and glory

Atletico Madrid coach Simeone

I still remember that when Simeone first took Atletico Madrid, this La Liga mid-range team was just a "giant killer".

In recent years, he has personally built Atletico Madrid into the "defensive benchmark" in European football, but he has also fallen into controversy due to the continued desolation of domestic honors.

Recalling the past, as of the 2024-2025 season, the Argentine coach led the team to win two La Liga titles (2013-14, 2020-21), two Europa League titles (2012, 2018) and two European Super Cup titles (2012, 2018), but only one championship was recorded in the past decade, and the two finals of the Champions League failed (2014, 2016). Behind the Iron Blood Legend, how to judge Simeone’s merits and demerits?

Atletico Madrid coach Simeone

lay the foundation for the dynasty: From the relegation team to the overlord of La Liga, Simeone's "Simoneism" is famous for its iron-blooded defense: in the 2013-14 season, Atletico Madrid averaged only 0.8 goals per game, setting a record low in La Liga history, and reversed Real Madrid in the Champions League final to win the championship, becoming the first La Liga team to top the top after the reform. In the following ten years, Atletico Madrid entered the Champions League knockout stage seven times, and in 2018 he defeated Barcelona and Marseille in a dark horse, winning the double championships of the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup.

Even in the dilemma of fiscal tightening, Simeone still relies on youth training and cost-effective signings (such as Griezmann joined with 30 million euros), allowing Atletico Madrid to be among the "three top three in the Western Super League".

Controversial Whirlpool: The dilemma of only one championship in ten years

Atletico Madrid won the league championship

Since winning the championship in 2021, Atletico Madrid has fallen into a "champion drought": it lost 1-3 to Barcelona in the 2023 Copa del Rey final, and lost 0-2 to the relegation team Alvarez in the final of La Liga in 2024, and its league ranking fell to third, setting its worst record in 13 years. The core issues are fully exposed:

Lineup aging: The average age of the defense line is over 31 years old, and the winter window is strengthened again, and he was mocked for "repairing for another three years."

Key fighters: the national derby has been defeated in all four games in the past five years, conceding 16 goals; the Champions League knockout stage has been out of the quarterfinals for three consecutive years.

Star effect: Griezmann has renewed his contract with Atletico Madrid until 2027, and has accepted salary cuts and playing time adjustments. His role is much worse than before, and Cork's condition has also declined significantly. The youth training gap has led to a gap in local talents.

Kork and Griezmann

Tactical dilemma: The defensive master's offense is confused

The early "1-0ism" has achieved legends, but in recent years, the offensive weakness has been repeatedly fatal: in the 2024 league, only 62 goals (fifth in La Liga), and was defeated by Manchester City and Arsenal for three consecutive games in the Champions League knockout stage. Simeone failed to change the team and only scored one shot against Barcelona in 2024, ending the previous record of unbeaten 18 consecutive games in the away game against Barcelona. Someone once commented on Simeone: "He has kept Atletico Madrid's soul, but he cannot keep the ticket to the new era."

Historical positioning: the ultimate proposition of civilian coaches

Atlanie coach Simeone

Despite constant controversy, Simeone's contribution is undeniable:

Club transformation: promoting the construction of the Metropolitan Stadium, revenue soared from 120 million in 2011 to 620 million euros in 2024.

Spiritual Totem: The number of Atletico Madrid members has increased by 240% in 13 years, and season tickets have been sold out for nine consecutive years. Fans shouted, "I would rather be third than exchange for Simeone."

Tactical Legacy: Its high-level pressing system was imitated by Premier League giants, and Aubrac (world-class goalkeeper) and Morata (although far away from the Turkish Super League) are still popular products in Europe. Simeone's Atletico Madrid is a tragic epic - they used steel and iron bones to tear Real Madrid and Barcelona apart, but they still struggled to break the "champion curse".

Perhaps as the Ass said: "He proved that grassroots teams can also shake the giants, but the lack of the Golden Cup always makes the story bitter."

When Atletico Madrid's century-old stadium's lights dimmed, Simeone's ten-year merits and demerits are still waiting for time to give the answer.

Atletico Madrid coach Simeone