Atlético Madrid gear up for Barcelona test and a date with destiny

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/apr/08/atleticomadrid-barcelona

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Atlético Madrid's captain, Gabi, looked out across the room and smiled. "This is the best moment of our lives," he said. Fifty metres or so away, bathed in bright sunlight, lay the Vicente Calderón pitch where on Wednesday night Atlético face Barcelona in their quarter-final second leg with the tie finely poised after the 1-1 draw at Camp Nou. They are 90 minutes away from a first European Cup semi-final in 40 years. "Ninety or perhaps 120," said their coach, Diego Simeone.

Ninety, 120, or maybe even a penalty shoot-out for which Gabi admitted they had not prepared, noting that the pressure of it could never be recreated. In any case, this is a historic moment and Atlético received a boost when Diego Costa, the club's top scorer, was included in the squad, Simeone having admitted that he would only risk the player if he was "close to 90%" fit. But the news of Costa was offset by confirmation that Arda Turan, their most creative player, will miss the game. "I can't tell you now; maybe we will know more after the training session," Simeone said.

If Costa does not start, Adrián will play up front, probably with David Villa. Adrián has scored only twice this season and has rarely been included, but Simeone said that he had "complete confidence" in the striker.

Nothing could diminish the enthusiasm and energy from coach and captain. The most basic of questions to Gabi received a grinning reply. "How are you?" "Excited," he said. That excitement was palpable at the media conference, which had been moved from the cramped surroundings of the press room under the main stand, with its low sloping roof, barely space to stand straight. The directors' box had been prepared instead, wide and open, voices echoing through the microphone and round the room, a view of the pitch through the windows.

"We're looking forward to this. We're enthusiastic and full of hope," Gabi said, glancing around. He began his career in the club's youth system and has said before: "When I was a kid I didn't say I wanted to be a footballer when I grew up; I said I wanted to be a footballer for Atlético Madrid." Here, he seemed to be enjoying this. "We've earned the right to be fighting for this, to see loads of journalists here who don't normally come,." he said.

On the walls inside were photographs of the club's achievements. By the end of the season, this may be considered the greatest campaign of all. An unbeaten Champions League run has accompanied a league title challenge in which they sit top of the table with six games left. Simeone talked of "sacrifice, humility and enthusiasm". It is the formula that has brought them here and one that prompted him to foresee "a fascinating and exciting clash of styles".

Noisy, too. On the walls outside, the Frente Atlético supporters' group had taped up notices imploring fans to arrive early and to play their part: "If the team pressure Barcelona, so should we." They are determined to whistle every time their opponents have the ball, which is likely to be often, and roar Atlético forward when they win possession. Simeone talked about energy and rarely was that better demonstrated than last Saturday when from the touchline he did not so much direct his players as direct the fans; he choreographed the Calderón.

It was clear that if there was a message that Atlético wished to send here it was to their own supporters. Physically, Atlético looked a spent team in beating Villarreal 1-0 at home on Saturday – they have six of the 10 most-used players in the Spanish league – but emotionally they remain strong.

"None of the players are tired," said the captain. "We've brought hope to the fans, and that's the most important thing." Now, the call was for the fans to reciprocate.

Simeone said: "Energy is very important in football and in life. The positive energy will reach the players and I know that the players will be there. Hopefully the energy will flow from the pitch to the stands too.

"It is fantastic to be here. I wouldn't call it pressure – pressure is going home without enough money to feed your children – but I would call it responsibility and both teams have responsibility."

The away goal may be a huge advantage. Atlético and Barcelona have drawn their four games and the Spanish champions have scored only twice. The assumption is that it will be tight again and a 0-0 draw would see the home side through. Simeone knows that will not be easy.

"We'll have to be alert because they can produce something in a moment," Simeone said. "I don't think Barcelona will be nervous. These games are special and they're used to playing these games. The atmosphere won't frighten them. I don't think they'll change their style either. This is exciting. These are different styles. Our game is based on humility, counterattack, the reduction of spaces, it's a battle of styles. It's exciting because that's football. But just remember the four goals they scored up the road [at Real Madrid]."