We are at the beginning of the season in a year in which the illusion-o-meter is going through the roof for Atlético fans. After the four signings that have been made, a defender is about to arrive and, who knows, a midfielder to bolster the team. The Welcome Night was a grand opening after the presentation of all the signings for both the men's and women's first teams.
The question that is being asked of all Atlético fans is clear: what are the objectives now? It is very possible that the answer will not be possible until the transfer window ends on August 30. However, there are already people looking for reasons to hold on to in order to believe that, why not?, the double is possible.
They want the twelfth
It is the most important competition, the one that shows the consistency of a team over the course of a year. It means winning every weekend at stadiums like El Sadar, Anoeta, Mestalla or Balaídos. They say that leagues are not won in these stadiums, but they can be lost and that is completely true.
Competition for consistency is a must for Atlético de Madrid . In recent years they have let themselves go on many occasions and have thrown it overboard around Christmas. All the colchoneros want to see their team compete week after week and arrive with possibilities for the last five dates.
It is at this moment, when some cling to the similarities with LALIGA 20/21 - the last one in which they were champions - to believe that it is possible to achieve it:
- There was an Englishman in the team: at that time Kieran Trippier was instrumental in winning the League, we will see what role his compatriot Conor Gallagher plays.
- A player left for London for 50 million : in 20/21, at the end of the transfer market, Thomas Partey left for Arsenal after the English team paid his release clause. This year it is João Félix's turn, who has left for a similar amount to Chelsea.
- Morata has left the team: in 20/21 Morata would complete the first of his two-year loan at Juventus. This year, he has fulfilled a dream once again by being able to sign for Milan.
- Signing of a top South American striker: at one time it was Luis Suárez, now it is 'the Spider' Julián Álvarez.
- Two youth academy players were part of the most repeated starting eleven: in the 20/21 season it was Koke and Saúl Ñíguez, in this one it could be Koke and Pablo Barrios, it remains to be seen.
Would the first one be too much to ask for?
If we're dreaming, which is free, why not do it with the first big-eared trophy? Yes, it's very difficult to win the most prestigious trophy in the world at club level , but there are reasons that invite us to think that it's possible.
For this hypothesis, the cabal degenerates to unsuspected limits. In the 2012/13 season, Borussia Dortmund lost the Champions League final at Wembley and Atlético de Madrid got 76 points in the League. The following year, the Colchoneros won the League and by 2 minutes did not do the same with the Champions League.
Guess what happened last year? Well, that's right. Borussia Dortmund lost the Champions League final at Wembley and Atlético Madrid got 76 points in the league again. But there's more.
Manchester City signed Kun Aguero from Atletico Madrid to win their first Premier League and gave them that trophy with a goal from him on the final day. Manchester City signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid to win the Champions League and gave them the top international club competition with a goal from him in the final.
If we change the roles, Julián Álvarez arrives at Atlético de Madrid from Manchester City to win trophies and... I don't think he will do it... right?
