The 5 best Atletico Madrid games under Diego Simeone

1. Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid – 2013 Copa Del Rey Final

Derbies in world football are unlike rivalries in other sports. The intensity and fierceness on display within the play on the pitch and atmosphere around the stadium is simply unmatched. There have been a multitude of thrilling derbies in recent memory, including with the Madrid derby Copa Del Rey Final from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013.

The fixture pitted a hungry Atletico Madrid against long-time rivals Real Madrid.

This edition of the Madrid derby had all the drama-filled storylines that one would expect out of a derby final. Atletico were eyeing their first domestic trophy in 17 years while Real Madrid needed the win in order to avoid a trophyless season.

For Atletico and their supporters, they desperately needed this win because the rivalry had been entirely one-sided as of late. Heading into the final, Los Rojiblancos had gone 25 straight games without a win against Real Madrid — a time period in which Los Blancos collected multiple European and domestic trophies.

And for Simeone, this was his first true test as manager of the club. He needed to prove to the club and supporters that his tactical philosophy can indeed garner success and haul in trophies.

The final was essentially a microcosm of Simeone’s preferred style of play. Under his synonymous 4-4-2 formation, Atletico were conservative in their attack but aimed to heighten the physicality of play. From the forwards with Radamel Falcao to the backline with Diego Godin, Atletico aimed to be the aggressors and sought out to be a menace against Real Madrid’s star-studded €500+ million team. In short, the final resembled more of a brawl than a tactical chess match.

Early on, Real Madrid capitalized on a Cristiano Ronaldo headed goal for a 1-0 advantage. The lead was short-lived thanks to a Diego Costa goal in the first half that was orchestrated by a timely weighted through ball by Falcao, who masterfully maintained possession amidst the pressure from Raul Albiol and Sami Khedira. The second half was frantic for Atletico as Real hit the woodwork multiple times including on a Ronaldo free-kick attempt from just outside the box. The teams remained at a 1-1 deadlock until Miranda headed in the dramatic game-winning goal in extra time.

As the whistle blew for the final time, Atletico and their supporters exhaled a sigh of relief.

“This is for our fans that have suffered for 14 years,” Gabi Fernandez said following the final.

Atletico claimed their first domestic trophy of the 21st century and first win against Real Madrid in 14 years.

The final was surely one to remember and a fixture many fans today — both Atletico and non-supporters — rewatch as a classic.

As mentioned, this captivating final was a back-and-forth brawl on the pitch between two rivals. Both teams combined for 50 fouls,14 yellow cards and two reds cards, including one on Ronaldo after he deliberately kicked Gabi while falling down in extra time.

The final proved to be Simeone’s signature moment. Any betting man would have picked Real Madrid to lift up the trophy at home, but Simeone lived up to the underdog, against-all-odds role he has mastered at since then.