So, one side from Madrid draws and goes through on penalties, and another side takes the lead but ends up going out in regular time. I guess this truly is the end of Atletico as a competitive team this season.
But who knows, they go on and focus everything on winning the Champions League, right? I mean it is the one thing Simeone secretly wishes for lol
It's two big teams that are struggling, with Atletico going up against Manchester United in the UCL, both of which obviously can't go any further. Indeed, Atletico's season is over but Atletico have not lost hope of still getting a ticket to the UCL next season, and then Atletico can come back with their best form next season and I think that's not a problem. Because the most important is the position of the top four which is their main target, after failing to defend the title is something that is not expected.
Atletico this season doesn't show a good game, not because they are unlucky or for some reason, the fact is that Simione is rebuilding the team but he does it because he doesn't have the players that he had before. If he had in his team those players that before, then the result would have been different, better.
If they can beat Manchester United it's only because Manchester United don't play well.
To be honest after Griezmann's return I really believed Atletico could defend the title because rivals Real Madrid started with a new coach, but none of that was proven because what happened was actually the opposite of what was predicted. Next, they will play in the UCL against Manchester United which I think both are in the same situation. So, even if one of them passes to the next phase, they still can't go any further and will soon be eliminated in the quarter-finals.