Atletico Madrid: Where Passion Beats Money

Atletico Madrid, take a bow!
The Rojiblancos, as they are popularly known, have not only broken the ‘Duopoly of Dominance’ in Spain, but have also proved an axiom that was beginning to be doubted- ‘Passion beats Money’. Often overshadowed by their more influential rivals and neighbours, Real Madrid, this side from the Arganzuela district of the Spanish capital is perhaps the perfect example of the fact that David’s triumph over Goliath is not only limited to the fairy-tales.
For those who have been following the Spanish league keenly, Atletico’s rise is not a surprise however. They have been steadily rising up in the league table and it was perhaps a mistake on Real Madrid and FC Barcelona’s part to undermine their challenger. Atletico have finished 9th, 7th, 5th and 3rd in the four previous seasons and this season they achieved the miracle that many thought was beyond them. And they had their reasons too.
Ever since Villareal won the league in 2003-04, Barcelona and Real Madrid have made the La Liga a two-horse race winning all nine between themselves until the start of the 2013-14 season. Barcelona won it an unbelievable six times during the period. Not only have these two giants made it a duopoly at the top of the table, such was the difference in quality (and finance) that it was virtually impossible to foresee a different winner in the immediate future. That was until Atletico Madrid happened. That was until a resolute Argentine who answers to the name Diego Simeone took charge.
Simeone’s side have taken on the duopoly and defeated it. This is a monumental achievement: not only has it been 10 years since someone else won the title, the nearest anyone has been over the last five years was 24, 39, 25, 28 and 17 points. Atlético finished this season three points ahead. That shows the height of the peak that they have scaled. That shows the character that Atletico Madrid is made of.
Simeone, as a player, was known as someone who played the game the hard way. Atletico look like a side fielding 11 Simeones on the pitch. This is a side forged in steel and the players don’t know how to give up. A team assembled mostly from their youth academy and aided by a meagre transfer budget (negligible compared to Real and Barcelona), Atletico may not have the stars but they do have quality all over the pitch. Be it Thibaut Courtois in goal, Diego Godin and Miranda in defence, Koke and Arda Turan in midfield or Diego Costa up front, Atletico Madrid have players who play the game by their heart and equally well with their feet. Not to slight the indispensable roles played by the likes of Felipe Luis, Juanfran, David Villa and captain Gabi.
Not only have Atletico claimed the league, they have a chance to win the ultimate prize every top European football club wants to have in their cabinet- the UEFA Champions League. Ninety minutes of their unrelenting passion and never-say-die character is all that the supporters want from the players on what should be a magical night in Lisbon. They have done it before on the European stage (Europa League champions 2010 and Europa and SuperCup champions in 2011) and you can bet your life they will be up for it again, perhaps extra motivated to deny Real Madrid, coincidentally, their quest for a long-awaited European glory.
They definitely have the will, and as the saying goes, ‘Where there is a will, there is always a way’.