It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s the number of times you get up that counts.And in that category, there’s no one better than Atletico Madrid’s Diego Cholo Simeone. The passionate Argentinian has, once again, showcased that stubborn, die-hard football his team has been known for a decade. That approach proved right on Wednesday night, too, as Los Colchoneros resurrected from the brink of the abyss against Inter Milan to reach the Champions League quarter-finals following the dramatic penalty shootout.UCL: Lautaro’s penalty sent the ball out of the stadium and Inter out of the competition – stubborn Atletico are through!As the footage shows, he didn’t even watch the decisive penalty but waited for the reaction of the players and the supporters, who were ecstatic for another larger-than-life victory.How did Cholo experience the decisive penalty?He didn’t even want to see it, walking non-stop to wait for the reaction from the stands.He was on the bench with tears of joy and making gestures to his family, coaching staff and fans. pic.twitter.com/YuErKFPXJm— The Partido a Partido Podcast (@ThePaPPod) March 13, 2024 For Cholo, it was just another day in the office. It’s the seventh time Los Colchoneros have reached the UCL last-8 round led by Simeone since 2014. In the pre-Cholo era, between 1958 and 2013, they made it there five times. What an impact! It’s such an outstanding stat that it can be compared only to the influence and heritage the late Johan Cruyff left at Barcelona. Before and after, it was a different club. And Atleti won’t be the same or even look alike when Diego finishes his work someday. And that day’s not near at all. Knocked the most in form team out of Europe when no one gave a chance. Inter added to the long list of his victims. With him, everything is possible. With him, we can dream and then go out and achieve.Diego Pablo Simeone. Put some respect on the name. pic.twitter.com/MNt8CbafeQ— AU (@feelAtleti) March 13, 2024 At least, not until he celebrates that third-time charm success in the Champions League final. This year? Who knows, but Pep Guardiola probably won’t be thrilled to see a computer allocating Manchester City to the part of the draw with Cholo’s Atleti in it. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7950827##
