The changes at Atletico

Diego Simeone is famous for forging the most organised team in Europe, but as Atletico Madrid prepare for a second Champions League final in three seasons, it’s a much-changed Atleti line-up, writes Adam Bate…

When Atletico Madrid appointed Diego Simeone in December 2011, the club had just been eliminated from the Copa del Rey by third-tier Albacete and were tenth in La Liga – 21 points adrift of the leaders.

Under the Argentine they went on to win the Europa League that season and followed up by winning the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey in the 2012/13 season.

By the spring of 2014, Atletico were champions of Spain and Champions League finalists. But one extraordinary aspect of their success was how few changes were required initially – and how many alterations have been made since.

Consider the line-up from Simeone’s first game in charge…

Simeone’s first team: 0-0 draw v Malaga in January 2012Atletico: Thibaut Courtois, Juanfran, Filipe Luis, Luis …

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