Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid were, without question, the talk of the recent UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as they once again knocked off compatriots Barcelona despite being massive underdogs. It’s a script that Blaugrana supporters know only too well.
In both 2014 and 2016, these two Spanish Giants – one far more of a giant than the other, it has to be said – met in the Champions League quarterfinals. On both occasions, it was Atleti that surprisingly made it through to the semi-finals, the first time courtesy of a resolute defence, the second time Antoine Griezmann’s brilliant brace. And a decade on from the most recent triumph. Simeone’s men were up to their old tricks once again.
Heading into the showdown, online betting sites listed the Spanish capital’s perceived “second team” as a 25/1 outsider to lift the trophy for the first time ever in Budapest on May 31st. One can bet on sports at Bovada, and following Atleti’s victory against third-favorites Barca, the betting giant has now dramatically slashed odds on that potential maiden coronation down to just 15/2. And truth be told, it’s hard to argue that the Rojiblancos weren’t good value for their win.
In the first leg in Catalonia, Atleti took full advantage of a red card for teenage defender Pau Cubarsi to secure a stunning 2-0 win. In the second leg at the Metropolitano, Barcelona pushed for another famed “Remontada,” and it looked to be on the cards when they raced into a two-goal lead after just 24 minutes, after goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, leveling the tie on aggregate. However, Ademola Lookman would strike on 31 minutes for Atletico, re-establishing their aggregate lead, and the capital city outfit would cling on for dear life.
Another red card, this time handed out to Barca defender Eric Garcia with just 11 minutes remaining, made the visitors’ task even more difficult. However, despite the man disadvantage, they would push for a goal to take the contest to extra time, and their chance would arrive deep into injury time when a picture-perfect cross found Ronald Araújo unmarked in the penalty area. The Uruguayan defender blazed his header over the crossbar, though, and Atleti clung on for a famous 3-2 aggregate win.
The victory marks the club’s fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals throughout Diego Simeone’s epic 13 and a half years in charge, with only Arsenal standing between them and El Cholo’s third final. Such a number was unthinkable when the maverick Argentine boss first took over the club in December 2012. Back then, Atletico were down in tenth place in La Liga’s standings and a million miles behind rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in terms of the Spanish hierarchy.
Since then, the rise has been meteoric. Simeone has led Atletico to not one but two shock La Liga triumphs, the first in 2014, repeating the feat seven years later. He also led his beloved club to two Champions League finals in three seasons in 2014 and 2016, losing to Real in heartbreaking fashion on both occasions. And all of this was done operating on a budget far inferior to that of the two sharks circling the waters of Spanish football.
So, with Simeone gearing up to lead his side into a fourth Champions League semifinal throughout his tenure, which clubs have managed more appearances in the final four of Europe’s premier club competition throughout the last 13 seasons? Let’s take a look… and spoiler alert: it’s a short list.
Over the last decade or so, one team has dominated the Champions League more than any other. That is Atleti’s archrival, Real Madrid.
When Simeone first took charge of the red and white half of the Spanish capital, Los Blancos were still on the hunt for La Decima, a tenth Champions League title that simply refused to surface. Between their ninth crown in 2002 and Simeone’s appointment in December 2012, Real reached just two semifinals, losing both, with a seven-year streak in the middle where they didn’t reach a single one.
Since then, however, Los Blancos have resumed their stranglehold over European football. Simeone’s first full season in charge was the 2013/14 season, and he would lead Atleti to a shock La Liga triumph and the Champions League Final. There, Real would lie in wait, defeating their cross-city rivals in extra time to claim La Decima and start an unprecedented era of dominance.
Over the course of the next decade, they would win the storied competition five more times to take their total haul to a record-extending 15. In total, between 2013 and 2026, they have reached a whopping ten semifinals, the most of anybody and by some distance. However, they won’t be in the final four this year after losing to Bayern Munich, and without Atleti’s bogey team standing in their way, the door could be open for Simeone’s finest hour.
The only other team to reach more Champions League semifinals since December 2012 is Bayern Munich, who have amassed an impressive haul of eight. When Simeone first took charge at Atleti, the Bavarians had reached two of the last three Champions League finals, losing to Inter Milan in 2010 and to Chelsea, on home turf, in 2012. Since then, their consistency has been impeccable.
Pep Guardiola led Bayern to three straight semifinals in 2014, 2015, and 2016, losing each of them. They would also reach the semis in 2018, only to lose to Real Madrid, before going all the way in 2020 and lifting the trophy in Lisbon under Hansi Flick. They would lose to Real Again in 2024 before getting their revenge this season, beating Los Blancos in the quarters to set up yet another semifinal. Now, they’re the favorites to lift the trophy.