The concept of “parking the bus” took on a new dimension last night.
It seemed that Atletico only came on the field for one thing: keeping the 0 against the crusher of Manchester City. With an unseen formation, which at times resembled a 5-5-0, they gave De Bruyne and co no space.
In the end, Simeone’s plan backfired. After 70 minutes Kevin De Bruyne managed to demolish the red and white wall. Phil Foden served the Red Devil with a nice pass and De Bruyne thanked with a clinical finish past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
A disappointment for Diego Simeone?
“Of course he would have preferred to keep 0,” said Michael Van Vaerenbergh, La Liga commentator at Eleven Sports. “Still, I think that Atletico can be satisfied with the result achieved. The Spanish press also reacts mainly positively to the game.”
“The game of Atletico last night was completely in line with expectations. I am not in favor of it either, but it was pure “cholismo”, the defensive philosophy of trainer Diego Simeone.”
“We also have to be honest. It was partly just powerlessness because of Atletico,” says Van Vaerenbergh.
“I think there is only one player from Atletico who could play in Guardiola’s City, and that is Joao Felix. Still, I think matches like yesterday are a good school for players like him.”
“Atletico don’t always play with a low block like yesterday, by the way. People who think that Atletico always play so defensively should watch more games from them in La Liga.”
“Last year Atletico played champion in Spain with attractive football.”
“City will have to be wary of next week’s second leg in Madrid,” predicts Van Vaerenbergh. “In a swirling Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico can always do that bit more.”
