Diego Simeone's side show no signs of stopping. It seems as if all season, everyone outside of the club has been waiting for them to fall away, to crumble like they have done in years gone by, pre-Simeone. And yet when those setbacks come Atletico have all the answers.
The Argentinian has turned a team in crisis into relentless winners and as they edge ever nearer to the double, observers around Europe are finally starting to see what an incredible unit Los Rojiblancos are under the 44-year-old. It raises the question: can anyone prevent Atleti lifting two titles come the end of the season?
At this stage of the season, Coaches, players and fans all talk about one thing: momentum. As we come to the crunch stage of the campaign, momentum is key, whether it be a side battling the drop or a one going for a double.
Atletico certainly have it. They are unbeaten since losing to Osasuna in February, passing every big test that has come their way and with four remaining they certainly won't fear anyone, a team that epitomise their Coach.
The League is within touching distance and only a disastrous final three games will take the trophy away from them. But they certainly won't be allowed to look ahead to Lisbon with Simeone in charge and one would expect Atletico to complete the job.
Attention will turn to Lisbon soon after though and Atletico will be in a strong position whatever happens. They've had the upper hand over their city rivals in the last three encounters and are sure to stick to their normal game plan in the Portuguese capital, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with a dilemma.
Unlike against Bayern Munich, Madrid won't come up against a side that keeps possession and the onus will be on Los Blancos to take the game to Atletico. Atletico won’t be caught on the counter-attack. They’ll be defensively organised and will sit deep, as they have done all season. Real Madrid will have to come up with something new to lift the sought-after Decima, Atletico have shown they can deal with anything thrown at them this season.
One would assume that at this stage of the season the small, tight-knit squad of battlers would be running on empty. But adrenalin, spirit and, ultimately, their Coach, is carrying them through to the brink of history.
Pressure is not something that seems to affect this squad and with the momentum they have they are unlikely to get a better chance of a domestic and European double. Whatever happens, this is a season that will live long in the memories of Atleti fans and the turnaround under Simeone is a story for the ages.
