Spanish football changed when Atletico Madrid won La Liga in May 2014. It was the first time in a decade a team other than Real Madrid or Barcelona had clinched the title, achieved with a fraction of the budget. It was a triumph of defense, perseverance, and organization, the three pillars of Diego Simeone's tactical revolution. Where crosstown rivals Madrid relied on individual talent, Atleti drew power from the collective.
Fast-forward to present day and Atletico have arguably become the best version of themselves. They persuaded Antoine Griezmann to stay, signed good friend Thomas Lemar, and deepened the squad. Atletico have greater continuity than their rivals - losing Gabi and Fernando Torres is hardly the same as either Andres Iniesta or Cristiano Ronaldo - and the momentum of winning the Europa League and Super Cup in recent months.
This is an important turning point for the club. Not so long ago it seemed like the project was about to end. Rumors persisted that Simeone was about to leave, possibly for Inter, and that Griezmann would follow his mentor out the door. But they are still around, and with a much better team around them.
Having graduated with honors from Simeone's school of cholismo, Koke and Saul are ready to run the midfield. Griezmann will have a full season beside the ever-combative Diego Costa with Lemar and Gelson Martins providing necessary width, and Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez keeping things tidy at the back. Just as important are Rodri, Nikola Kalinic, and Angel Correa, who will give the side much-needed options off the bench. Simeone no longer has to rely on the same 11 players on a weekly basis, which, considering how much he demands from them, is a blessing.
Atleti have made so much progress since Simeone took over in 2012, slowly building a team that's now worth more than Madrid at a collective value of €858 million, according to numbers compiled by Marca. No longer a production line for other clubs, they've attracted some of the most sought-after players and managed to retain their best talent.
With that change of ethos has come greater responsibility. It's no longer enough to compete with Barcelona and Madrid, they have to win. Simeone has fostered a culture of accountability that extends from manager to player to supporter.
The popularity of high-pressing football is another vindication of Simeone's approach. It's a growing phenomenon across the top five European leagues, and it's even extending to the usually dour and conservative international fixtures. Uruguay and France looked a lot like Atletico during the World Cup, playing high lines and vertical passes with great effect to make a significant mark in Russia.
While the likes of Barcelona and Madrid figure out how they want to be - they're undergoing a philosophical transformation under Ernesto Valverde and Julen Lopetegui - counterpart Simeone presses on with the 4-4-2 formation that's brought the club unprecedented success. The feisty Argentine has slowly groomed his players into well-rounded athletes with the technique and the lung capacity to execute his supercharged gameplan.
His greatest achievement is his development of academy graduates. He's taught Thomas Partey and Koke the virtues of versatility, and drilled into them an understanding of time and space. Partey is more than just a physical presence, and by the same token, Koke is more than a dainty passer. Simeone also helped Saul overcome a serious health issue and become the kind of whirlwind force in midfield that Gabi was for so long.
It's only recently that Atleti have splashed the cash. Spending as much as their neighbours Madrid in the summer window, they've sent a signal to the rest of the league that they mean business. The only question is whether Atletico can elevate their game now that they have more talented players in their ranks.
"Atletico have added some quality players this summer, but that has not encouraged Simeone to build a more creative team," AS columnist Alfredo Relano noted after Saturday's narrow 1-0 win over newly promoted Rayo Vallecano. "It seems like he's happy to stick with more of the same: take few risks, score, and hang on. He must be careful with that strategy."
But maybe the opposite is true. With a few more match-winners in his squad, Simeone can continue to take the same rugged approach with the knowledge a goal will eventually arrive. When play turns static, the likes of Gelson Martins can come on, take on defenders, and leave the backline dishevelled. It's one of several possibilities.
Supporters can rest assured the defending will remain strong. Godin and Jimenez have already formed one of the most resolute center-back partnerships in the top five leagues. The odd time they falter, goalkeeper Jan Oblak will be there to clean up the mess.
It's on the other end of the pitch where they need to come good. With a goal or less in 11 of the past 15 La Liga matches, Atletico have to find a way to be more clinical in the penalty area. They can only grind out so many matches.
If they can get that right, there's reason to believe this team can once again break the duopoly in Spain.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
