How Diego Simeone turned Atletico de Madrid into Real Madrid’s biggest La Liga obstacle

For 14 years, Real Madrid held the upper hand in the capital derby. Diego Simeone’s arrival at Atletico de Madrid has changed that balance, with the red-and-white side emerging as their city rivals’ most persistent challenger and the team to have taken the most La Liga points from them during that period.

The contrast with the past was once summed up by a sarcastic banner displayed in the south stand at Santiago Bernabeu. It read: “We are looking for a worthy competitor for the derby.”

At the time, Atletico had spent almost 14 years struggling against their old rivals. But Simeone’s appointment as head coach in December 2011 marked a decisive change in the club’s fortunes.

The Argentine inherited a team in disarray. Atletico had been eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Albacete and were in the La Liga relegation zone. Simeone quickly restored order, however, and brought back the competitive identity that had been missing.

His early record in the derby was not immediately encouraging. Atletico lost their first three La Liga meetings with Real Madrid after Simeone took charge.

The turning point came in the 2013 Copa del Rey final, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. Played at Santiago Bernabeu, the match ended in a historic Atletico victory over Real Madrid.

That success began a new era in the Madrid derby, with Atletico becoming a far more difficult opponent for their neighbours. The pattern continued last Sunday when Simeone’s side defeated Real Madrid again.

That latest win took Atletico’s total number of La Liga points won against Real Madrid since Simeone became manager to 48.

Atletico now lead that table by one point from Barcelona, who have collected 47 points from Real Madrid over the same period. Barcelona have played one match fewer, with the two sides due to meet in the eagerly anticipated clasico in October, when the standings could change.

Villarreal are a distant third after taking 34 points from Real Madrid over the past 15 years, from 27 matches. Villarreal’s total is level with those of Real Betis and Valencia, although both of those clubs have played more games against Madrid during the period.

Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Athletic follow. They have taken 22, 20 and 18 points respectively from Real Madrid over the same span.

Simeone’s tenure has therefore not only ended Atletico’s long spell of suffering in the derby but also made the club Real Madrid’s most effective source of lost La Liga points in the past 14 years.