Atlético hit rock bottom

The defeat against Milan is nothing more than the consequence of a season in which the team is far below the expectations that had been created in the summer. Far from the top of the league table and almost out of Europe, the crisis has settled in the Metropolitan, but there is still a long season ahead.

With the numbers in hand, there is little hope that within two weeks a miracle will take place in the Porto field, where it is not only necessary to win, but also to win. a result that improves what Milan achieves at the San Siro against Liverpool. The victory guarantees third place and, consequently, the Europa League, but to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, we will have to wait for a new favor from those of Klopp, which to a large extent hold the key to the red-and-white continuity in Europe. In fact, Atlético could be third in their group still losing in Portugal if Liverpool won in Italy, although not just any result is worth it.

In other circumstances they would have had faith in the team, but the feeling of helplessness that has given in this Champions League is absolute. Milan was so superior yesterday in the Metropolitano that to think that it is possible to win – and perhaps by more than one goal – in To Dragao is dreaming impossible. For the first time since Cholo Simeone arrived at the club Atlético is in real danger of being left out of Europe before Christmas. A sports drama but, above all, an economic drama. The losses that this failure will cause will be enormous and they can condition the planning of the following season, in which it remains to be seen if the entire roster of stars available to the dressing room can be maintained.

However, there is still a long season ahead and what is clear is that the rojiblanca squad is excellent, although it is also evident that the coach has not found the key to balance the team. The list of offensive players that Simeone has is extraordinary, but not only is it not translating into more goals, but on the contrary it is showing a very worrying defensive weakness. Since last May, when they drew at the Camp Nou against Barcelona, ​​Atlético has not been able to leave a clean sheet in an away game. With this worrying balance, he will travel to Porto to risk his future in Europe.

Now it’s time to get up and think about next Sunday’s game in Cádiz, where it is absolutely essential to win so as not to lose the wake of Real Madrid, which is already four points away, and against which he will play very soon. It would not be the first time that Atlético has risen from its ashes after having given it up for dead, but there is undoubtedly a lot of work ahead to achieve that effect.