Under the direction of Diego Pablo SimeoneThe red and white team has an impeccable record in home playoffs, accumulating 11 wins and 6 draws.
This undefeated streak of “Cholo” is not a coincidence, but rather the reflection of a defensive and competitive identity that is further strengthened in front of its own fans.Advertisement
No European rival has managed to emerge victorious from a tie at Atlético’s home since the Argentine coach took charge.
The last defeat, almost 30 years ago
To find Atlético’s last defeat at home in a knockout phase of Europe’s top competition, you have to go back to 1997.
📸Ben Radford
On that occasion, Ajax Amsterdam managed to win 2-3 after extra time in the Vicente Calderonwith a goal in the last minute of Babangida—a wound that now appears to have completely healed after decades of solidity.
Just one mistake… and in the Europa League
Even in other European competitions such as european leaguedefeats have been few and far between, with defeat against Rubin Kazan in 2013 being the exception that proves the rule. The statistics are clear: the fact of playing at home is the Madrid club’s greatest asset in Europe.
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Although in 2021 Chelsea managed to win Athletic 0-1 in the first leg of the round of 16, that match was played in Bucharest due to health restrictions. Simeone’s record at his stadium therefore remains intact, defying the passage of time and Europe’s biggest heavyweights.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.