Here we go... (©Juan Medina/Reuters)
Here we go... (©Juan Medina/Reuters)

You can't spell Atletico without Cholo. And no, we're not wrong there

Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 14.03.24. | 11:32

After last night's win over Inter, they have made it to the seventh UCL quarter-final under Simeone. Before him, they had five in 55 years

It doesn't matter how many times you fall, it's the number of times you get up that counts.

And in that category, there's no one better than Atletico Madrid's Diego Cholo Simeone. The passionate Argentinian has, once again, showcased that stubborn, die-hard football his team has been known for a decade. That approach proved right on Wednesday night, too, as Los Colchoneros resurrected from the brink of the abyss against Inter Milan to reach the Champions League quarter-finals following the dramatic penalty shootout.

As the footage shows, he didn't even watch the decisive penalty but waited for the reaction of the players and the supporters, who were ecstatic for another larger-than-life victory.

For Cholo, it was just another day in the office. It's the seventh time Los Colchoneros have reached the UCL last-8 round led by Simeone since 2014. In the pre-Cholo era, between 1958 and 2013, they made it there five times. What an impact!

It's such an outstanding stat that it can be compared only to the influence and heritage the late Johan Cruyff left at Barcelona. Before and after, it was a different club. And Atleti won't be the same or even look alike when Diego finishes his work someday. And that day's not near at all.

At least, not until he celebrates that third-time charm success in the Champions League final. This year? Who knows, but Pep Guardiola probably won't be thrilled to see a computer allocating Manchester City to the part of the draw with Cholo's Atleti in it.



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Atletico MadridUEFA Champions LeagueDiego Simeone

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