The humiliation of last season, coupled with the coaching change midway through this season, Atletico Madrid urgently needs a victory to stabilize the morale of the army.
Atletico Madrid is bound to win this away trip in the 18th round of La Liga.
Of course, for Málaga, which is ranked 7th in the standings and has the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League next season, this game is also a game that must be fought hard.
Last season, they were able to beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the away game. Now at home, Málaga are even more confident. Some fans even made arrogant remarks. In an interview with reporters, they shouted that they would beat Madrid 5-0 at home.
The slogan of competition.
After arriving in Malaga, Simeone became the subject of constant questions from media reporters at the pre-match press conference held that afternoon.
Obviously, Simeone returned to La Liga for the first time in his coaching career and took charge of his old club Atletico Madrid, which really made the media and fans curious.
From tactical thoughts to the Shenlian Legion’s goals for this season, as well as the lineup change plan, the starting lineup for this game, etc., they have all become questions asked by reporters.
Although it is his first time in La Liga, Simeone's character cannot please reporters.
If he wanted to answer the question, he would answer it. If he didn't want to answer the question, he would just say no comment.
Regarding the team's goals for this season, although Atletico Madrid only ranked 10th in the standings before the winter break, it is no longer possible to compete for the championship.
But Simeone still said wildly: "Atletico Madrid's goal will never change, only the championship! I will lead the players and continue to attack the championship throne."
Simeone's rhetoric naturally attracted ridicule from some reporters.
With Simeone yet to prove his ability, and with Atlético Madrid's current decline, in their view, it is simply wishful thinking to still compete for the title after a coaching change midway.
With Atletico Madrid's current points, even if they win the next 20 league rounds and increase their points to 82 points, it will not be enough to win the championship in most La Liga seasons.
What's more, is it possible for Atletico Madrid to win all 20 league games?
impossible.
Even if you win completely, Real Madrid, Barcelona and other teams ahead will always be waiting for you, can't they win?
Therefore, Atletico Madrid, currently ranked 10th in the standings, will compete for qualifications for the Champions League or Europa League at most this season. If successful, Simeone will be considered to be very capable.
As for the championship, don't have any illusions, it's too far away.
Of course, print media will not report on the same day, but TV news, online media, and radio stations can immediately report on the pre-match press conference.
Simeone's speech at the pre-match press conference was ridiculed by fans of other La Liga teams, but won the welcome of Atletico Madrid fans.
In their opinion, Simeone has too much personality, and Atletico Madrid needs such a handsome coach.
Regardless of whether we can win the championship or not, the slogan must be shouted and the momentum cannot be lost.
In addition, Simeone himself is Atletico Madrid's meritorious midfielder and has led the team to win the La Liga and Copa del Rey doubles. Fans are naturally fond of him.
Therefore, Atletico Madrid fans are very supportive of Simeone and have great expectations.
Of course, in the world of football, performance ultimately matters. If performance is not good, no matter how great the prestige is, it will be exhausted.
Even if his reputation is as great as that of the world champion Maradona, he was criticized for failing to lead the team to good results in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after coaching the Argentina national team.
Let’s look at Arsenal’s Wenger-style beautiful football that once attracted countless fans. After seven years without a championship, even Arsenal’s own fans held up banners at home to complain about Wenger, scolding him to get out of class immediately. How can we still talk about beauty?
There is no beautiful football or happy football in this world, only winning football. Football that can win can be happy, football that cannot win is fake happiness and fake beauty.
Diego Simeone's style happens to be based on winning as the only goal.
In his mobilization speech in the locker room before the game, Simeone said:
"In the past, Atletico Madrid lacked iron-blooded temperament. I hope that starting from today's game, you will play with iron-will and iron-blooded spirit."
"In Spain, we are a working-class, common-class team. If we want to challenge the status of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and if we want to compete for the championship, we have to risk our lives."
"If we refuse to run or fight, why should we compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona, which have more funds, more superstars, and thicker benches?"
"Therefore, in this game, everyone must start running, even if they get cramps, they are not allowed to stop. In the fight, they must be iron-blooded, tough, and dare to fight head-on. Every opportunity must not be missed."
"Don't be afraid of getting cards. I'm not afraid of anyone getting cards. I just hate that you guys are not tough enough."
"Even if you can't win by score, you have to win with momentum."
"This is my football philosophy."
"If anyone dares to be weak in this game, and is afraid and shrinks when faced with a 50-50 chance to grab the ball, then you are waiting to be benched!"
"I'm not an alarmist!"
Then, Simone suddenly raised his voice and shouted: "Do you understand?"
The players were startled, and immediately raised their heads and chests, and shouted loudly: "Understood!"
I'm afraid that if I answer too slowly, I'll get a flying kick from Simeone.
Although the possibility is unlikely, Simeone's appearance and personality make players dare not take the gamble.
In the midst of a roar from new coach Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid stepped onto the Malaga Rose Garden stadium with a murderous look on their face, holding their heads high and their chests high.
Although Malaga's home team fans continued to boo, curse and put pressure on Atletico Madrid players in the stands, no one at Atletico Madrid paid any attention.
In their minds, compared with the pressure Simeone put on them in the locker room just now, the boos from these Malaga fans in the stands were nothing, and they couldn't hurt them even a hair.
Soon, after the entrance and picking ceremony, at 19:45 pm on January 7, 2012 local time in Spain, with the whistle of the referee, the match between Malaga and Atletico Madrid in the 18th round of La Liga in the 2011/2012 season
The match officially started at Malaga’s home stadium, La Rosaleda.
Qiao Anchen sat on the bench.
In this game, Simeone fielded a 541 formation, with three central defenders and two defensive midfielders: Thiago Mendes and captain Gabi, who protected the goal tightly.
The whole game was dominated by defensive counterattacks in high-position pressing, and even center Falcao was asked to retreat to the midfield to participate in defense.
Tactical changes require long-term transformation, and nothing can be seen in the short term. But Simeone's spiritual impact on Atletico Madrid is real.
Under the threat of Simeone "If you don't fight hard, you will be benched", all Atletico Madrid players played very hard and very tough, which exceeded the expectations of the home team Malaga, the media, and the fans.