The Metropolitan is not the Calderón. It is one of the most repeated phrases by many mattress fans. They miss the boiling that was experienced on the banks of the Manzanares. And more so when a decisive European night arrives. The Metropolitan stage has not been the best to act in recent times, clouded by a civil war environment: the lack of love with Griezmann (who already seems to be cured), the confrontation with Hermoso, certain songs that no longer sound from the South Fund. .
Precisely in the last game at home (1-1 against Rayo) Cholo was seen vehemently demanding that the stands tighten up. But the response from the fans was not as fiery as is normal when their leader requires them. There was more coldness than usual. Did Simeone perceive it that way? The Argentine assured that the mattress fans cannot be asked for “absolutely anything”. On the contrary, they are the ones who have to give them from the field. “Our situation from now on is to transmit enthusiasm, emotion, work, give ourselves as below we gave ourselves to Atlético de Madrid eleven years ago. And then, of everything else, I am of a way of thinking in life: to give without waiting”.
But at the moment Atleti del Cholo is giving its parish little to talk about in its stadium: in the League at home, seven points out of a possible 15; away, 16 points out of 18. At home, Atlético de Madrid has only given up two points, at Anoeta. What is the reason for these conflicting numbers? “There will be some reason, it is clear. We are not being forceful enough and showing our best local game and that is why it will surely be ”, answered Diego Pablo Simeone succinctly after another two points from the Metropolitano flew against Rayo. Without a doubt, there lies another of the males, the greatest difficulties experienced by the rojiblancos when it comes to carrying out the initiative.
And the Champions squeeze. Again. Here they did win at home, in an agonizing way against Porto (Griezmann's goal in the 101 '), but they came from a journey of eight games without achieving victory at home in Europe (since October 2020, 3-2 against the Salzburg). And against Bruges he stumbled again. Good game, but no prize. 0-0, the bullets run out, and the calculator demanding.
Facing this time will be Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, who have only won three points in the Champions League. Against Atleti in Germany, still without Xabi. A team that is on the verge of relegation in the Bundesliga, “but that has been recovering with a coach who seeks to capture the same style that he had in Real Sociedad B”, in the words of Simeone.
