Atlético have taken on the big tests at times and succeeded. There have also been times when they have been humbled and humiliated in prime fashion. The Rojiblancos, rivals of Real Madrid and Barcelona, have come up short on times when they were expected to dominate. We take a look at 10 such moments where Ateltico have let themselves down.
10. Atlético Madrid 1 – 4 Real Madrid, 2014 UEFA Champions League Final
Atlético had just clinched La Liga and were coming on strong in the Final of the continental Cup against Real Madrid in Lisbon.
Diego Simeone’s decision to field Diego Costa on the night backfired as Costa hopped out in first half, giving Real a decisive advantage on the night. Goals from Ronaldo, Bale and Ramos made sure Los Blancos went home with the biggest prize of all.
9. Atlético Madrid 1 – 1 (3 – 5) Real Madrid, 2016 UEFA Champions League Final
Another European final night against Real Madrid at the San Siro, Milan led to another disappointment as Real dumped Atlético 5-3 on penalties after the game ended a tie in extra time.
Ramos scored the equaliser in injury time to give Real a shot. Atlético surprisingly didn’t send on any attacker despite having Correa on the bench.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amZWRmfltUA
8. Atlético Madrid 0 – 2 Rubin Kazan, 2012-13 UEFA Europa League Round of 32
Atléti conceded a howler against Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Round of 32 stage of the Europa League as the Russians scored twice at Estadio Vicente Calderon.
The second goal came as goalkeeper Asenjo was asked to go join the rest of the team in the opposition penalty box. Kazan countered and Atléti couldn’t recover in time.
7. Real Madrid 1 – 0 Atlético Madrid, 2014-15 UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals 2nd Leg
Diego Simeone made another blunder in the Quarterfinals of the Champions League as Javier Chicharito Hernandez scored the only goal across two legs after a controversial Antoine Griezmann substitution.
This loss was sandwiched between two Champions League Final losses to Los Blancos for Atlético.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmbf1LG9UD8
6. Juventus 3 – 2 Atlético Madrid, 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Atlético were brilliant in the first leg of the Champions League Quarterfinals against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus and it looked like they had finally avoided the CR7 curse.
However, a week later, things turned out really bad as Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to take Juve through to the Quarters of the competition.
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5. FC Barcelona 1 – 0 Atlético Madrid, 2006-07 La Liga
Barca legend Ronaldinho scored the goal of his career against an Atlético side that were really playing well and dominating the ball throughout.
Nobody expected Barca to find a goal on the day, but that is what you get having Ronaldinho in your team. A beautiful overhead kick flew into the Atlético net, leaving spectators bemused.
4. FC Barcelona 5 – 0 Atlético Madrid, 2011-12 La Liga
The Barca Atléti rivalry has come a long way.
One important defeat suffered at the hands of the Catalans came in the 2011-12 season as they fell prey to the brilliance of Messi and conceded 5 at Camp Nou.
3. FC Barcelona 4 – 1 Atlético Madrid, 2012-13 La Liga
Another shocking defeat at the hands of the Catalans, Atlético Madrid were blown away by the brilliance of Pep Guardiola on and off the ball.
Barca played as a team, kept the ball and made Atlético look like much lesser oppositions as they put 4 past them in the process. Atlético reduced the deficit through a late Falcao strike.
2. Borussia Dortmund 4 – 0 Atlético Madrid, 2018-19 UEFA Champions League
Atlético’s major recent successes have come with coach and former Atlético player Diego Simeone at the helm. A tactician, Simeone is someone who prefers to stress more on defense than on attack.
Hence, it was a shocker as Atlético fell to their knees at Signal Iduna Park as Dortmund thrashed them 4-0. Goals from Witsel, Rafael Guerriro, Jaden Sancho and Marco Reus made sure Dortmund had an evening to remember.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3iiaErT2s
1. Atlético Madrid 0 – 2 FC Barcelona, 2014-15 La Liga
Barcelona won the title at the Estadio Vicente Calderon as Messi scored a brilliant goal after a wonderful one-two with Iniesta.
They took revenge for the previous season when Atlético had pipped Barca to the title on the final day of the season.