adminLONDON. — Diego Simeone steered Atletico Madrid into the 2014 Champions League final by embedding the same traits that helped the club win the Spanish League and Cup double nearly two decades ago, former coach Radomir Antic said.
Atletico brushed aside Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after a goalless semifinal first leg and Antic, who guided them to the domestic double in 1996 with Simeone as the midfield enforcer, hailed an impressive performance and season. “Diego has moulded an outfit of success-hungry players who have subdued their egos for a greater good, which is the present generation’s biggest victory because it’s not an easy task,” the 65-year old Serb told Reuters.
“I’ve always said that outstanding individuals don’t necessarily make a great team as unity in the dressing room is the most essential ingredient for a club to match the sum of its parts.
“That’s exactly where Atletico have excelled. This season’s performances have dispelled all doubts about their ability as they made Chelsea look second best, especially in the second half.
“They romped into the final with such authority and made a glorious return to the showpiece event of Europe’s club football after a 40-year wait.”
Atletico, who lost the 1974 final to Bayern Munich in Brussels after suffering a 4-0 rout in the replay having conceded a last-minute extra time equaliser in the first match, will face more illustrious and wealthier city rivals Real in the May 24 final in Lisbon. — Reuters.
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