BIG MONEY COULD ULTIMATELY CRUSH ATLÉTICO'S DREAMS
D. Ray Morton, 10th March 2014.
After five games, four draws and finally a win, Atlético Madrid have toppled Barcelona on Europe's grandest stage with last night's 1-0 second leg win at the Vicente Calderón. Manager Diego Simeone has performed miracles with limited resources and a domestic duopoly to contend with. They now join three elite European superpowers in the semi-finals: their local rivals and nine-time winners Real Madrid, the holders Bayern Munich and 2012's winners Chelsea. Atlético are set to battle amongst the giants no doubt.
They shouldn't fear any of the three sides on strictly footballing terms, that is but for Chelsea partly for what I outlined here yesterday, though they will take the rest of the competition in their stride knowing that getting to this stage is an adventure far beyond what they could have imagined at the start of the season. There is, however, the grim reality of what their refreshing football makes us forget, and that is money.
Should Atlético be put with Chelsea in tomorrow's draw, they will be hit with an immediate disadvantage. On-loan Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not be selected should the rojiblancos have to face his parent club. Not that they are contractually forbidden, but because they, according to club president Enrique Cerezo, would have to pay the London club an additional €8m for his services if he were to feature in that specific fixture. Such a loss could be catastrophic considering Courtois' brilliance this season which has left many rating him as one of the finest keepers on the planet.
Courtois' brilliance would be sorely missed were they to face Chelsea
Atlético are cash-strapped. The club are thought to be several hundred million Euro in debt and cannot afford to shell out any payments beyond their extremely limited financial structure. They are not in the position to reject lucrative transfer offers, as evidenced by Radamel Falcao's big money departure to Monaco last summer. This team and its successes so far have not been bought. They have been willed on by Simeone's sheer motivational drive, man management skills and sound tactical knowledge. Not many managers could have set up a side to stifle Lionel Messi in the manner he was last night.
Indeed, Diego Simeone could be one of the most sought after managers in the world come next summer. What he has managed on such a limited budget is simply remarkable and although the Argentine has stated in the past that he would only like to manage teams he has played for, big money offers would surely roll in. There would be temptation in taking over a club with massive resources, a team capable of challenging in Europe season after season without having to deal with loan sharks.
Simeone's impressive managerial skills will be in high demand next summer
It's not only Simeone who could leave as well. Midfielder Koke has come on in leaps and bounds this season and has attracted the interest of several big clubs capable of vastly increasing his salary. Manchester United are one name that have been repeatedly mentioned. Striker and talisman Diego Costa will almost certainly end up in the Premier League after the World Cup. The core of the team could be completely dismantled with Atlético trying to chip away at their massive debts by having to sell to any prospective buyers with big wallets.
It's sad in a way that Atlético and Simeone aren't in a position to really grow together and see this project blossom the way it would for a more fiscally secure team. Their following in Spain is formidable, probably the country's third most supported club, especially with the demise of Valencia. That was the same Valencia that made it to two Champions League finals before having to sell their stars as the debts racked up. Atlético's coffers are similarly empty. Enjoy this year's vintage because the likelihood is, unfortunately, that it won't be repeated.
