"In the final few minutes before the derby day that was destined to be the best they ever had, Diego Simeone gathered his players and asked if they were OK. The pressure was intense, their need desperate, but of all the things that are truly important in your lives, he wanted to know, is there anything that's not right? Does anyone have any problems? All of them said no', Atletico Madrid's manager admitted later, when the Metropolitano had finally fallen silent, the singing drifting in from down Avenida de Luis Aragones instead."
"Asked what an astonishing 5-2 victory over Madrid meant, Simeone gave a two-word reply, offering only three points and a full stop, but if the players had bought his message before the game no one was buying it now. This meant more, the release so complete that when Julian Alvarez curled in a free-kick, Thibaut Courtois sent crashing past the post, over on the touchline the coach's legs gave way and he started to cry."
"In added time, Antoine Griezmann slipped a shot into the net, number 199 in red and white. This time, Simeone turned to the stands and blew kisses. Up in the directors' box, Madrid's president Florentino Perez tapped at his phone with a single finger, launching a million memes. Around him, the Metropolitano sang: show those Vikings who rules the capital, the lyrics demand. History really had been made. Atletico hadn't put this many past their neighbours in 75 years."
Diego Simeone gathered his players before the derby and asked if anyone had problems, urging them to play and enjoy the moment. Atletico Madrid produced a stunning 5-2 victory over Real Madrid, a result that carried intense emotion and catharsis for players, staff and supporters. Julian Alvarez's free-kick prompted a visceral reaction from the opposition goalkeeper and coach, and Antoine Griezmann added a late goal, his 199th in club colours. Simeone celebrated with kisses to the stands while Real Madrid's president remained impassive, and the Metropolitano chanted as history was made with an unusually high scoreline.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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