Atlético Madrid's recent victory over Mallorca has opened up an intense debate about the style of play of Simeone's team. On the program "El Tertulión" on Tiempo de Juego, Gonzalo Miró did not hesitate to express his disagreement with the tactical approach that led the red-and-white team to get the three points. Despite Julián Alvarez's goal in the second half, Miró described the match as "torturous" and "frightening", harshly criticizing the lack of spectacle in the game of Atlético Madrid.
Criticism to a Conservative Style of Play
Speaking at the match, Gonzalo Miró expressed his disappointment with Atlético Madrid's style of play, describing what he believed to be a too conservative style of soccer as a "crime". For Miró, the team's play in Mallorca offered nothing attractive for the fans, and he said that watching Atlético Madrid play in this way is a frustrating experience. "It's a crime out of boredom," he said, implying that Simeone 's strategy seemed more focused on getting a result than on putting on a show.
Antonio Ruiz, one of the commentators present, tried to justify Simeone's approach, pointing out that Atlético has a clear plan. "Whoever wants to see a spectacle, should go see Mamma Mia on the Gran Via," replied Ruiz, arguing that soccer should not always be about entertainment. However, Miró was adamant: "I don't believe that you enjoyed watching Atlético Madrid's first half."
Controversial comparisons: Atlético de Madrid like Carabanchel?
Miró's criticism went even further, comparing Atlético's current style of play with that of Simeone's early years. According to Miró, what was seen in Mallorca was a return to the more rigid and pragmatic "cholismo", but without the excitement of those times. To emphasize his discontent, he made a comparison that has been much talked about: "It's like comparing Carabanchel with Brazil in 1970."
This statement reflects the distance that Miró perceives between the current Atlético de Madrid and the team that Simeone built in his early years. In those days, despite a defensive style, there was an intensity and passion that connected with the fans. For the commentator, the current team lacks the essence that made it popular among its followers.