The story of Atlético has been interpreted by few as by Diego Simeone, half coach, half messiah. He liked to refer to the team of the people as opposed to the truly aristocratic team. Atlético's match-by-match narrative was the adaptation of the daily life of the poor. As a narrative, it has worked, but it is a narrative surpassed on the field, where a derby is now played without the poor. On one side, the king of the Champions League, lazy like all kings, but anointed with the divine gift capable of causing seismic phenomena on the grass of the Santiago Bernabéu. On the other side, the eternal aspirant to a revolution that never arrives, but today, with as much firepower as the king.
The European encounters between Madrid and Atlético have returned each to their place, as if it were a barrier where history says no, whether in the 93rd minute or with a Madrid weakened by the battle, whether in finals or in knockout rounds. The Super Cup that the red and whites managed to win in a derby in 2018 had a touch of consolation prize, like a chocolate Champions League.
Real Madrid is always the favorite in a tournament that emotionally dominates in an inexplicable way. That doesn't mean they always win. It means what it means. That's how the white team feels, and that's how those who face them feel. To the extent that Atlético can detach itself, it will be able to impose its footballing health, clearly better today than that of Madrid. This was not the case in previous encounters, despite the solidity of Atlético in the first Liga with Simeone at the helm. This version may lack the character of players like Godín or Gabi, who were the coach's extension on the field, but it has many more resources to defend well, organize for whatever they want in midfield, and seek the opposing area in different ways.
The attack starting with Griezmann and Julián Álvarez, and featuring Sorloth or Correa, is like a carnival. The individual superlative condition of Vinicius and Mbappé may be better, but Atlético has more alternatives in terms of complementarity. Simeone has realized this and often uses all of them, as happened in the two matches played this season at Montjuïc. Out of the four matches against Barça and Madrid, they haven't lost any.
Julián Álvarez is the great acquisition of the season, a forward subtle in his movements, which makes him a torment for his opponents because he doesn't offer clear references. He appears everywhere and disappears, always making decisions that improve the attack or make it definitive. He accompanies goals like stars do. Those who want to be stars need them. Just ask Lamine Yamal. The Argentine has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season.
He scored, from a penalty, in the last match between both teams at the Bernabéu in the league. A reference match for the coaches, as it showed what Atlético is capable of when they unfold and the resilience of Madrid, no matter the adversity. Carlo Ancelotti remembered it because he needs that Madrid in a crucial knockout round, having lost the lead in the league, being irregular in play, and nervous due to refereeing controversies. Only the Copa final, one step away, brings relief. Crucial also for himself, because in his position, one never wins enough.
The Italian spoke of a lack of attitude and commitment after losing to Betis, a warning before this derby that is not just any derby, but there are problems that are his and the club's responsibility, although the plague of injuries and refereeing decisions provide an excuse for everything. He said yesterday that there are two types of players: those who run and those who make a difference. Vini and Mbappé already know this. He needs them just as he needs Valverde to run, whom he may push to the right. Bellingham, who runs and makes a difference, is a big miss in this first round of the tie.
Ancelotti and Simeone do not expect a result at the Bernabéu that heavily influences the tie. They will see the outcome at the Metropolitano. An advantage for Atlético, not because it occurs at their stadium, but because it will be at the non-Bernabéu. In that place, during the Champions League, there is usually a release of energy capable of shifting a result like the earth moves. It's a seismic phenomenon brought to football.
Atlético is moving away from that place in the finals where they have learned to play like Madrid, thanks to their bench but also to the determination of their coach. Simeone is a very interventionist coach during the match, making quick substitutions, something that challenges Ancelotti, who is more conservative, like a good aristocrat. It's the other derby.