Player turned coach Simeone revives Atletico fortunes


  • Football
  • Wednesday, 12 Mar 2014

Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin (R) gestures next to coach Diego Simeone during a news conference at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid in March 10, 2014. REUTERS/Andrea Comas

MADRID (Reuters) - When Atletico Madrid were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Ajax Amsterdam in 1997, midfielder Diego Simeone could scarcely have imagined it would be 17 years before they reached the last eight again.

Almost two decades later, Simeone is now coaching the La Liga side and Tuesday's dominant 4-1 home victory against seven-times winners AC Milan, which put Atletico through to the quarter-finals 5-1 on aggregate, was the latest evidence he has moulded his unfancied squad into genuine European contenders.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Football

Soccer-Arsenal enter enemy's den as title race reaches boiling point
Soccer-Female refereeing team to take charge of Serie A game for first time
Soccer-Leipzig want fourth spot irrespective of potential extra Champions League place-club
Soccer-Spanish government to oversee football federation until new elections
Soccer-Under pressure Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place
Soccer-Xavi says Barca project behind decision to stay, not money
Soccer-Dortmund and Leipzig meet in key battle for top four spot
Soccer-Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated
Soccer-Criticism part of life at Manchester United, Fernandes says
Soccer-French President Macron scores penalty in charity match

Others Also Read