The "believe it and work" formula that no longer threatens Barça or Madrid.

BarcelonaWhen Diego Pablo Simeone, better known as the Cholo, landed on the Atlético de Madrid bench, Guardiola's Barça were the reigning Champions League champions, José Mourinho was managing Real Madrid, and Artur Mas was governing the Generalitat (Catalan government). On December 23rd, it will be fourteen years since an Argentine—an idol during his time as a footballer—with little coaching experience (he had only managed Argentine teams and a brief stint in Italy) arrived at the old Vicente Calderón. More than a decade later, he has managed to change the way Atlético fans think and establish a style of play that is now at the center of debate among fans. "El Cholo is no longer sacred to many fans. The public still cheers him, but he is no longer untouchable," Fran Guillén, who has called Atlético matches on DAZN, told ARA.

The two points from three matches make that start the worst in the last sixteen years. To find a worse situation, you have to go back to the 2009-10 season, with Abel Resino in charge. At that time, Atlético de Madrid lost to Málaga (3-0) and Barça (5-2) and drew with Racing Santander (1-1). That team, which would end with Resino's dismissal in Matchday 7, didn't win a single match until October 3 (2-1 at Zaragoza). The current situation is different.

Cholo is more than a coach. Simeone represents the values and identity of the club. "When he arrived, he changed everyone's mentality. He managed to transform a team that struggled to be among the top teams into one that made everyone believe it was possible to compete with Barça and Madrid for titles," says Pedro Martín, a former Atlético player currently on the coaching staff of Reus FC Reddis. Proof of this is the phrase the coach uttered during the 2014 La Liga title celebration: "If you believe it and work hard, you can achieve it."

Despite being a legend, he now finds himself in a difficult situation with a change of cycle and the need to convey his unique message to the new players. "The heavyweights who remain - Griezmann, Koke or Giménez - have lost prominence and now he faces one of the most complicated challenges: establishing the cholismo in the new signings," admits Sergio Picos, who follows the news of the Colchonero club in the newspaper AceHowever, Guillén adds that Simeone himself admits there was a time when he had a tougher time. "His toughest moment, personally, was the night of the Champions League final, which he lost in Milan to Real Madrid. He's never been so dejected or had so many doubts about whether it was worth continuing."

An incomplete investment

Changes have been made—11 additions and 12 departures—but the impression is of an unbalanced squad. "The three major problems that Atleti had to address in June—the lack of defensive force, the lack of imbalance on the flanks, and the lack of killer instinct in the box—remain," analyzes Guillén. The sporting directors are investing, but the question is whether they are doing so correctly. "Last year, the outlay was significant, but only Julián Álvarez earned a place in the starting eleven. This summer, a lot of signings have been made, but the same shortcomings persist. The feeling is that they paid dearly and poorly," says Mario Alonso, a journalist for La Sexta.

A particular style of play

El Cholo is characterized by a defensive style of play in which the intensity of his players is non-negotiable. Over the years, he has combined the current 4-4-2 formation with a three-man defense. "He's a very demanding coach who likes players who are tactically very disciplined," Joel Robles, one of Simeone's goalkeepers when he arrived at Atleti, told ARA. Pedro Martín, who at the time played for the reserve team and the first team, highlights the figure of the physical trainer, Profe Ortega. "El Cholo is a person who always wants everyone to give their all in training and in matches, until the very last second. He had Profe on his coaching staff, a very physical, very active player who never stopped." Both agree that Simeone's arrival marked a change in the way they view football, both inside and outside the locker room. "They found the right person to put at the club where it deserved to be: among the best in Europe," says Robles.

All of this gives rise to doubt about Cholo, who is considered a legend. Furthermore, the coach has always met the expectations set for him. "The club doesn't demand titles from him, they demand certain objectives," says Marcos Durán, who has followed the Rojiblanco news in recent years on ReliefGuillén explains these goals: "The board is happy to be stuck in a third-place finish, because it allows them to financially clean up the club. Cholo, on the other hand, is more ambitious."

He will be the one who determines when it's time to close this adventure. "Simeone is so important that he has earned the right to decide. This season will be key with the renewal of the squad. If the team reacts and connects with the fans, he will continue. We'll have to see if the locker room responds to his message," says Picos. Guillén affirms that, despite the noise, Cholo looks strong and the board will think carefully before making any changes. A debate that Mario Alonso concludes forcefully: "Simeone wants to leave with a win. He will leave when he wants." This Saturday (9 p.m.), the Colchoneros host a Villarreal team on a roll.