chronicle of 18 disastrous days

It will remain in memory as a blank seasonbut simply what he has experienced Atlético in this season is the fine line that can separate glory from disappointment. So much so that just 18 days ago it was not unreasonable to dream of a Double ever achieved (the only one in its history, with Simeone on the green, would be in the League and Cup in ’96). Today he is ruminating on two defeats that, although they cannot tarnish his merits, leave him with the disappointment of leaving empty, beyond the primary and already usual objective achieved of sealing qualification for the next edition of the Champions League via the domestic championship.

It all started last April 18 in La Cartujawhere Atlético appeared with the favorite sign that makes them so uncomfortable to play for the Cup. They had put on a display in the quarterfinals with a memorable 0-5 against Betis, they had knocked down Barcelona in an epic tie that began with a 4-0 against Flick’s Barcelona that will take a long time to forget. However, when they were only missing the last obstacle for Real Sociedad, the rojiblancos would stumble unexpectedly.

How could it not be otherwise, there were some damn penaltiesafter an even match against the current in a second half in which Atlético made more than enough merits to win the title. However, the reality and harshness of football dictated that what counts is the repeated forcefulness to which El Cholo always alludes and in the decisive moment his men lacked it. Neither the chances accumulated in the final stretch of the match nor, of course, the key shots in the shootout entered.

A manifest disappointment, both for the suit itself defeat as if by the unexpected. Neptune would have to wait to contemplate another title, which would have been the ninth of the glorious Simeone era.

No time for regrets, andl Atlético would regain morale given what could be achieved in the Champions League. Again after having left Lamine Yamal’s Barcelona in the gutter just four days before the Cup was played. The new bone was called Arsenal, leader of the Premier and immaculate in the group stage. And there it was Atlético.

With a 1-1 at the Metropolitano that once again left the feeling that Atlético had deserved more. Especially in a second half that, although it would not reward him, marked the way to appear at the Emirates. However, it was a cross again with a goal on the stroke of half-time that seemed like too much loot for what Arsenal had done.

Two key mistakes

Obviously it cannot be personalized to a single man, but the truth is that Sorloth would appear in the two photos of what could have been. In Seville missing the first of the penalties, even though Julián, who had scored the tie in a sensational performance, would suffer the same fate. However, the Norwegian will think more about the chance he would have in London to tie in the 80th minute. He had everything to shoot Raya, but his shot would hit her other foot. A fatal stumble.