After the uproar over Atletico Madrid’s 5-5-0 formation against Manchester City: “It was pure Colismo” | football

The concept of ‘bus parking’ took on a new dimension last night.

It seems that Atletico entered the field for one thing only: to keep the number 0 against the crushing Manchester City. With an invisible formation, which at times resembled a 5-5-0, they didn’t give De Bruyne and his teammates space.

In the end, Simeone’s plan backfired. After 70 minutes Kevin De Bruyne managed to tear down the red and white wall. Phil Foden sent a superb pass to the Red Devil and thanked De Bruyne with a fine finish past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Disappointment for Diego Simeone?

“Of course he would have preferred not to keep zero,” said Michael van Veyrenberg, La Liga commentator for Eleven Sports. “However, I think that Atletico can be satisfied with the result achieved. The Spanish press also reacts mainly positively to the match.”

“The Atlético match last night was completely in line with expectations. I don’t support it either, but it was just a ‘Colismo’, the defensive philosophy of coach Diego Simeone.”

“We also have to be honest. It was partly just a weakness because of Atletico,” says Van Veyerenberg.

“I think there is only one player from Atletico who can play in City under Guardiola, and that is Joao Felix. However, I think matches like yesterday are a good school for players like him.”

“Atletico don’t always play with a low block like yesterday, by the way. People who think Atletico always play defensively should watch more games than they do in La Liga.”

“Last year Atletico played champions in Spain with attractive football.”

“City will have to be careful about next week’s return leg in Madrid,” Van Weyenberg predicts. “In the wraparound Wanda Metropolitano, Atlético can always do a little more.”