BARCELONA // Atletico Madrid showed their quality at the start of the season with two epic Spanish Super Cup ties against Barcelona, both of which ended in draws.
“We were the better team over two games but lost on goal difference,” said striker David Villa, who moved from Camp Nou to the Vicente Calderon last summer for a bargain €2 million (Dh10.1m). “Over those games, I think we showed the world that we can match the biggest teams.”
Speaking to The National in October, when Atletico were at the top of the league, Villa said: “Our aim is to get a Champions League place for next season, but also to compete in three competitions this season. It’s tough, but I believe we have the team to fight. Let’s see where we are in March.”
Atletico, who work on a budget a quarter the size of Spain’s big two, were expected to fall away, just as they did last season, yet at the end of March they are top of the league with a one-point lead over Barcelona.
If they win their remaining seven games, then they will be Spanish champions for the first time since 1996, the first team outside the big two to win the title since Villa’s old club Valencia a decade ago.
Atletico enjoyed a superb result at the weekend, coming from behind to defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 away. The Basques had beaten Barcelona and drawn with Real Madrid at home, yet, with the pressure on, Diego Simeone’s side thrived. They have won their past five league matches and have 76 points, the same as for the whole of last season.
Simeone takes his side to Camp Nou again on Tuesday night for the first leg of a Uefa Champions League quarter-final match against a side coached by his Argentine compatriot Gerardo Martino.
The pair have met and drawn three times this season, with January’s goalless league draw a more cautious affair as both settled for a stalemate. They will be more inclined to attack in a knock-out cup competition.
They will meet a further three times before the season ends, with the final game at Camp Nou likely to be a title decider.
Atletico’s rise has been the standout story, but they meet a Barca side who are seeking a record-extending seventh consecutive Champions League semi-final appearance.
Atletico were last at this stage in 1997, with Simeone at the heart of a team that won the 1996 domestic league and cup double. That Copa del Rey triumph came against Barcelona – who included Carlos Busquets, father of current midfielder Sergio – in extra time.
They will not be daunted. Along with neighbours Real Madrid, they are one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition.
Atletico have not won at Camp Nou since 2006, but they are much improved since then, with a team spirit to match their indefatigable boss Simeone, who has still to beat Barca as a coach, with three defeats followed by this season’s three draws.
Another Argentine, Lionel Messi, has scored 20 times in 19 games against Atletico, including three hat-tricks. He is back to form with 18 goals from his last 14 matches.
Barca have won 29 of their last 30 home league matches, yet Atletico are hugely respected in Barcelona.
Barca will be without goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who ruptured his cruciate ligament last week. His replacement, Jose Pinto, 38, is not of the same quality as Atletico’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, yet both squads are stocked with brilliance.
Spain awaits to see how far Simeone can take Atletico – Europe and the world, too.
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