Atlético de Madrid has established its stadium as a nearly impregnable fortress for visiting sides in the Champions League.
Guided by Diego Pablo Simeone, the rojiblanco squad holds an impeccable record at home in knockout matches, achieving 11 victories and 6 draws.
This unbeaten streak under “Cholo” is no mere chance; it embodies a defensive and competitive spirit that intensifies when playing in front of their supporters.
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No European opponent has been able to secure a win in a knockout match at Atlético’s home since the Argentine took over.
Last defeat nearly 30 years ago
To trace back to Atlético’s most recent home loss in a knockout round of Europe’s premier tournament, one must go back to 1997.
📸 Ben Radford
On that occasion, Ajax Amsterdam triumphed 2-3 after extra time at the Vicente Calderón, courtesy of a last-minute strike from Babangida—a sore point that seems to have fully healed after years of resilience.
Just one mishap… and in the Europa League
Even in competitions like the Europa League, setbacks have been rare, with the solitary loss to Rubin Kazan in 2013 standing as an exception that confirms the rule. The statistics clearly indicate that home ground advantage is Atlético’s most formidable asset in European play.
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Although in 2021, Chelsea secured a 0-1 victory against Atlético in the first leg of the round of 16, that match took place in Bucharest due to health restrictions. Consequently, Simeone’s remarkable record at his current home ground remains unscathed, standing the test of time and Europe’s top contenders.
This article has been translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.