Can Atlético Madrid win LaLiga?
Antoine Griezmann inspired an epic comeback against Sevilla on Sunday and the Rojiblancos are very much in the title race
All of a sudden, it’s close at the top. Barcelona have picked up just five points from their last five matches in LaLiga and the Blaugrana are now just two ahead at the top of the table. Real Madrid, supposedly in crisis but somehow still competing, are in second with a game in hand. And one further back in third are Atlético Madrid, also with one fewer fixture played. Could this be the year for Diego Simeone’s side?
It didn’t look like it after 57 minutes at home to Sevilla on Sunday. Atleti trailed 3-1 to the Andalusians at the Metropolitano, but Antoine Griezmann kickstarted the comeback with a goal shortly past the hour mark and after Samuel Lino had made it 2-2 with just over 10 minutes left, the French forward struck deep in added time to seal a dramatic victory for the Rojiblancos.
Atlético made a slow start in LaLiga, drawing five of their first nine games, but the Rojiblancos' boast probably the strongest squad in LaLiga on paper. And in a season when both Barça and Madrid are struggling at times, there might just be a chance.
They are also more consistent now than before. Since losing 1-0 at Real Betis in late October, Diego Simeone’s side have won five LaLiga games in a row. Not that the Argentine is getting carried away with recent results.
“We continue on the same line from game to game and we are not going to change,” he said. “I hear criticism of [Real] Madrid and they are there; Barcelona has a coach with a great mentality. We always look at those monsters, but I did not dislike watching Villarreal [lose to Athletic] Bilbao because moving away from that fifth place is always the first objective of the club.”
The first objective, of course, but not the only one. Simeone has long looked to play down Atlético’s aspirations and is happy to live in the shadows of both Barça and Madrid. He has also recognised over the years that Atleti need those two teams to dip below their best in order to win LaLiga.
Since his arrival at Atleti in December 2011, Simeone has led the Rojiblancos to two LaLiga titles – in 2013-14 and again in 2020-21. And he has often said that competing week in, week out with the those two giants and beating them is what has given him the most satisfaction in his coaching career.
And so it should. If Simeone can lead Atlético to a third title this season, Sunday’s epic comeback against Sevilla may just have been the moment it clicked. There is still a long way to go, of course, and the trip to Barcelona before Christmas could also be key. Games away to Real Madrid in February and at home to Barça in March, too.
In early January, both Barça and Madrid are away in Saudi Arabia for the four-team Spanish Supercopa. This time, Atleti do not have that distraction and it could be a blessing for the Rojiblancos.
On the pitch, Antoine Griezmann is the team’s undisputed leader in his second spell at the club. Already Atleti’s all-time top scorer, the French forward arrived at the club after the first LaLiga title under Simeone and was a Barcelona player when the Rojiblancos won it again in 2021. Having recently retired from France duty, Griezmann’s sole focus is now on success at Atleti and his fine form and leadership could make the difference. He deserves it more than anyone.
“We’ll try to win everything we have left,” Griezmann said after the game on Sunday. “We know there are going to be difficult moments, we are united and we will keep fighting.” It’s the Atlético way.
Great piece, I honestly didn't realise how very open this title race was. As a City fan I hope Alvarez does well for them 👍
Barca looked unstoppable at the start of the season and Real Madrid and Atletico were struggling, now they’re right on Barca’s tail with a game in hand. One thing is for sure, the title race is wide open.