The Special One VS El Cholo

On the 30th of April 2014, one of Europe’s brightest, feistiest coaches, commanding one of Europe’s strongest, most well-drilled teams will get a crack at Champions League glory.

A genial tactical encounter of chess moves and counter-moves; of tactics and tackles and of arduous defending and clinical attacking will take place.

The puppet masters?

Diego Simeone, a Europa League, Super Cup and Copa Del Rey winner. He has drilled his side into the Champions League most miserly; conceding less than anyone . Atletico Madrid stand at the top of the La Liga table – for the first time since 1996, they look like winning it. He has steered his effective, ruthless group to the Champions League semi-final for the first time in 40 years, and he’s done it without ever looking like cracking. He’s knocked his more esteemed rivals (like Barcelona and AC Milan) out of the competition with competent, cold-blooded displays. He is feisty and intelligent, and one of Europe’s most intellectual managers.

In the other corner sits the 20-trophy, brilliant and incredible winning machine called Jose Mario dos Santos Mourinho Felix. The first “Grand Slam” winner of league titles in Portugal, England, Spain and Italy has now returned to his true throne at Stamford Bridge, and coming off the back of a stupendous master class of a display to shut down the Premier League’s highest scorers and likely winners at Anfield, his team are roaring for the kind of success only he can bring. Jose Mourinho has struggled with strikers this season, with goal-scoring midfielders, but a brilliant comeback against PSG showed that no matter what, this man is still probably the best coach in the world.

Clearly, the stage is set for an incredible battle of the wits that will either send El Colchoneros home with a fantastic victory at the home of the team they’re most alike in Europe, or it will be a 3rd Champions League final for Chelsea FC.

With several absences on either side, this is the perfect game for both managers to show just how good the really are. Although nobody doubts them – Simeone having beaten Barcelona without star asset Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho having beaten Liverpool without 8 of his usual starting XI – the injuries and suspensions on both sides will play a heavy part in the ideology with which the two managers send their teams out.

After a hard-fought draw at the Vicente Calderon in which Chelsea completely nullified Diego Simeone’s side but were given absolutely no room for attack by Atleti, a winner has to be picked out.
The time has come for both managers to decide their seasons. Will they be beaten by small mistakes, or will their brilliance shine through?

Chelsea FC stand on the brink of conquering the only trophy Jose Mourinho never delivered them.

Atletico Madrid stand on the brink of their first ever Champions League.

Something has to give.

Something will give.