We’re reviving an old series called ‘Q&A With The Enemy’. Today, we’ve asked some questions of our sister site,Into The Calderon, which is run by Jeremy Beren. If you want theReal Madrid version of this, I answered questions over there — if it’s not published yet it will be soon.
Kiyan: You had written on Into the Calderon that, statistically, this Atletico Madrid team is on pace to have its best defensive record in some six years. So here’s my question: Is this also the best Atletico team since then overall? The bark and bite is always there under Diego Simeone, but it *feels* like it’s extra spicy this year.
Jeremy: I think this is easily the best Atletico team since 2020/21 — which says as much about our inconsistency over the past few seasons as it is testament to the board-engineered clearout that took place last summer. Atletico are playing a higher line than ever before in the Simeone era; the defense has benefitted from some good fortune and a resurgent Jan Oblak, and adding just two defenders (Clement Lenglet and Robin Le Normand) almost instantly turned around a unit that leaked more than 40 goals in LaLiga. I think the addition of a global star in Julian Alvarez has galvanized everybody at the club, as has Simeone’s proactive if not aggressive use of his squad — there are 15-18 players El Cholo is using regularly, and that’s keeping everyone locked in.
Kiyan: I’m going to copy and paste, verbatim, a question I asked Into the Calderon in a ‘Q&A with the enemy’ back in 2016!:
If I can sum up some of the general comments from fans, it seems to be this: most Real Madrid fans have accepted that Atletico have owned us in the Simeone era, but feel like there’s a psychological edge when it comes to Europe (decima, quarter finals last season). Do you think there is some kind of mental barrier that Atletico have when it comes to facing Real Madrid in theChampions League? Is that real?
Jeremy: Oh man you went deep into the archives for that one! It’s a great question, and I’d say the answer is “probably yes”. I think it is the same mental block that Simeone’s Atleti had any time it faced Barcelona in LaLiga, especially away from home, until a few months ago. The thing is, only a few holdovers (plus Simeone) remain from those four consecutive eliminations to Real Madrid; the group this year has demonstrated a stronger collective spirit and organization than arguably any other Atleti side this decade. Our sides the past few seasons wouldn’t have won at San Mames, or the Parc des Princes, or defeated Bayer Leverkusen while playing with 10 men for more than an hour.
The club was delighted to learn that it would be hosting the second leg of this tie, which informed some of Simeone’s curious decisions in the second half last week — and judging from how Atletico played at Getafe on Sunday, I’d say the coaches and players already are focused on breaking down that mental barrier once and for all.
Kiyan: Atletico were very good in the 1st leg. But Real Madrid just did Real Madrid Champions League things. Having said that, what did you *not* like about Atletico’s performance in the Bernabeu, and what do Atletico need to improve on in the second leg?
Jeremy: Atletico controlled proceedings from around the 20th minute up until Brahim scored and Luka Modric entered the game. I was impressed with the calmness and the composure that the Rojiblancos displayed, but I thought Atleti needed to do a little more to press home its advantage. Sometimes, weird things happen; Rodrigo de Paul miscontrols a bouncing ball in front of Courtois, Real Madrid take it up the pitch and score. Yet other than Alvarez’s incredible goal, Atleti mustered one shot on target in 90 minutes, and by the end of the game, we were focused on not letting Madrid’s advantage grow to two goals.
Entering the second leg, I need to see more of that 30-minute spell when Atletico were really quite good. I need Pablo Barrios to show everyone why he is one of Spain’s top young midfielders and take control of this game by the scruff of its neck. I need Antoine Griezmann to run, to deliver amid his declining form and rumors linking him to Major League Soccer. And we need another strong defensive performance; I am looking to Josema Gimenez to drop a masterclass that harkens back to Diego Godin’s days here.
Kiyan: What worries you the most about Real Madrid in the 2nd leg? It can be matchups, tactics, or whatever else comes to mind.
Jeremy: The psychological aspect worries me of course, as someone who has watched this same matchup now five times in the Champions League this century and seen the number of ways in which we’ve managed to lose it. I’m worried about letting Vinicius and Mbappe run into space if we lose the ball near the halfway line; Atletico did a great job keeping them quiet in the first leg, and it will be a difficult task to do so again. We still don’t have an answer for Modric and probably never will; Atleti have to create an environment where his entry into the game will not prove as decisive as it did last Tuesday. Finally, are we any closer to solving the Rodrygo Goes problem? Can Javi Galan pocket him this time? If he can, Atleti’s chances to win the tie go up by 10 percent.
Kiyan: We all know about how good Alvarez and Griezmann are. What’s the x-factor Real Madrid fans should be worried about?
Jeremy: Rodrigo de Paul is enjoying his best season at the club, though opinion remains divided on whether he has merited a contract extension (his deal expires in 2026). De Paul sustained a knock during Sunday’s loss at Getafe, though there is optimism that he’ll play Wednesday; the through ball maestro’s presence (or absence) likely will prove decisive. We can’t replicate his passing range elsewhere; his work rate is much improved this season and he’s very combative in ground duels. These factors will be key in Atleti’s efforts to control the match a la much of the first leg.
Kiyan: How many statues of Diego Simeone do you have in your house?
Jeremy: I have two, and I just ordered a third! I’m hoping it arrives some time in May.
Kiyan: Prediction?
Jeremy: 2-1 after extra time, Atletico advance 7-6 on penalties.