Olé, olé, olé! Atlético Madrid fans hail a new Simeone on difficult day at Metropolitano
Diego Simeone's son Giuliano played a pivotal part in the Rojiblancos' comeback win over Leganés in LaLiga on Sunday
If you’ve ever been to an Atlético Madrid game, you’ve probably heard the chant. “Olé, olé, olé,” the Atleti fans sing. “Cholo Simeone!” It is, of course, affectionate homage to their tenacious former midfielder and current coach – the man who has transformed the fortunes of this great club since his return in late 2011. But on Sunday, those same supporters hailed another Simeone: Giuliano.
At home to Leganés in LaLiga, Atlético went behind to an Yvan Neyou strike in the first half and the Rojiblancos were still struggling after Alexander Sørloth’s 69th-minute equaliser. But Giuliano encapsulated the side’s spirit since his father’s appointment, sprinting down the right flank, sliding to keep a ball in play and assisting Antoine Griezmann for the all-important second goal after 81 minutes. Sørloth later added another deep in added time to wrap up a 3-1 win after Julián Álvarez scrapped to win back possession twice before squaring for the Norwegian.
It was an important victory on a difficult day for the club, with the lower section at one end of the stadium empty as the Rojiblancos’ most passionate fans, the Frente Atlético, served a one-match ban after objects were thrown at Real Madrid players during the rivals’ recent derby clash.
According to Marca, Giuliano sprinted 18 metres in just 3.32 seconds, at a speed of 29 kilometres per hour to keep the ball in play and change the face of the game. The 21-year-old, who is back at Atlético after loan spells at Real Zaragoza and Deportivo Alavés and a serious injury last season, was introduced with 57 minutes on the clock and his intensity in a new role at wing-back was key to the turnaround.
“These last two weeks I have been working a lot on that position,” he said after the game. “I’m very happy with the play for the assist for Grizi, but I also want to highlight the attitude of the whole team. In the second half we raised our intensity and we are very happy.”
Asked about the influence of his youngest son, Simeone senior said: “That’s his job, it’s what he has to do. He’s growing. He has many things he can improve on, but he has hunger.” And he added: “We always say that hard work pays off. These type of situations make us happy because the work we put in has deservedly been shown on the pitch.”
Atlético now turn their attentions to the Champions League and, having lost their last game in the competition 4-0 away to Benfica, Simeone’s side will be looking for a reaction against Lille on Wednesday. For the game at the Metropolitano, Atleti will welcome back the Frente and their grada de animación (cheerleading section). Some Simeone-style intensity, a quality which has been missing from this team on occasions in recent times, will also be useful – both on and off the pitch now.