The draw in the last Madrid classic has, as usual, sparked endless debates in the sports media. One of the most discussed topics has been the exchange of opinions between Paco González and Santi Cañizares on Cadena COPE. The former Valencia goalkeeper defended Atlético de Madrid after the famous journalist's criticisms.
Does Atlético de Madrid Have Luck or Is It a Well-Worked Team?
During the program, Paco González analyzed Atlético de Madrid's draw at Santiago Bernabéu. He compared this result with other matches where the rojiblancos have emerged victorious or unscathed against high-caliber opponents like Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain. For the journalist, Atlético survives extreme situations thanks to exceptional luck rather than tactical planning or resilience.
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"They survive matches where Barça bombards them, Paris Saint-Germain bombards them... Yesterday they were shot at 11 times in one half. Normally, you'd lose, normally. Yet they come out alive from scenarios that are brutal," commented Paco González, suggesting that the colchoneros have had more fortune than merit in some recent matches.
However, this view was not shared by Santi Cañizares, former Valencia and Spanish National Team goalkeeper. Now a COPE collaborator, he offered a much more technical and in-depth analysis of the true reasons behind Atlético de Madrid's performance.
Cañizares's Response: "They Come Out with Quality and Attitude"
Cañizares did not hesitate to respond to Paco González, defending Cholo Simeone's work and Atlético de Madrid's preparation. For him, the rojiblanco team not only resists because they are lucky but because they have top-level physical preparation and substitutes who bring freshness and quality.
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"They finish matches well, Paco, because physically they are in good shape and because they also have good players coming off the bench. They come out, excuse me, with quality and attitude," replied Cañizares, dismantling the theory of Atlético's simple "luck."
The former goalkeeper emphasized that the team's physical and mental work is key to explaining their resilience in the most demanding matches. While other teams may falter in the final minutes, Atlético de Madrid maintains a high level of intensity, something that is not the result of chance but of meticulous preparation.