Ten minutes later, all 10 games were over, and both sides won five games each to tie, which should have been the most peaceful result. No one will be punished – that's what the players think.

But the first thing Simone said when he came over, everyone was in a circle.

"Tie? Everyone, carry each other for a lap! ”

Wen Zhihao's eyes widened, most of them pouted, and their opinions were very big, but they didn't dare to speak angrily in front of Simeone.

Or Wen Zhihao's newborn calf was not afraid of tigers, and protested with a smile: "Boss, isn't this right? Everyone didn't lose, football is not basketball, draws are allowed! ”

Costa hurriedly and quietly pulled Wen Zhihao, with his knowledge of Simeone, to challenge his authority in person, the consequences are often serious!

Simeone turned his head and roared loudly at Wen Zhihao: "I'm the coach, I have the final say in the rules!" Got it? You can accept a draw, huh, Winn? ”

Wen Zhihao didn't dare to answer anymore, he heard the disappointment in Simeone's eyes.

Simeone deliberately raised his voice and continued: "What about the knockouts? What about the finals? What about extra-time or even penalty shootouts? The result of the tie is that you can only watch others on the championship podium forever! ”

Simeone's words shocked the veteran players who had lost two Champions League finals. In 2013-14, they lost in extra time and in 2015-16 they lost in the final penalty shootout. And they all lost to old rivals Real Madrid. The veteran players who experienced the pain of those two defeats recalled the envy and unwillingness of their opponents when they were proud of the spring breeze on the podium.

Wen Zhihao is not a party to the case, but from Simeone's excited tone and distressed expression, he can also realize that this must be a great realization after the head coach's personal experience.

"Wen, can you really accept a draw?" Simeone asked again.

This time Wen Zhihao shook his head.

Simeone's face softened slightly, and after a moment, he said sharply, "Then accept the punishment." It's okay not to run laps, go to the professor, and I'll ask him to relive the feeling of strength training for you. ”

Wen Zhihao suddenly looked bitter.

……

After the afternoon training session and everyone left, the head coach's office, Boggs and Simeone exchanged the situation of Wen Zhihao's solo confrontation.

"Diego, it seems that you are not far from what you think."

Simeone's face was calm: "Training and competition are two different things, actual combat is the only criterion for testing tactics, and it must stand the test of competition." ”

Boggs is not worried at all: "You still don't know the ability of the three of them, and it will be a big decline if they are put into actual combat?" Inexistent! Anyway, with Wen here, I'm not worried at all. He's made me believe that there's really nothing impossible on the pitch. ”

Simeone pondered for a moment and replied, "I hope you're right." ”

……

In the twentieth round of the league, Atletico Madrid sat at home 1:0 Liclas Palmas. Griezmann made the point and hit it himself. Compared with the 5-1 victory in the first meeting of the season, Atletico Madrid won not so easily at home, and it was also related to Simeone Costa's temporary non-appearance.

The last race of January. Atletico host Girona. The season opener was played at the opponent's home stadium, and Atletico Madrid were in a lot of trouble, with a thrilling draw. Time has passed, and Girona has lost the right time and place at the home stadium, but it is not that kind of good luck.

4:1, Wen Zhihao's brace in the first half laid the foundation for the team. Atletico have won all of their honeymoon fixtures in January.

The overall situation in the standings has not changed, with Atletico still firmly in third place with 48 points.

Entering February, the winter window officially closed, and some of the five major league teams were relegated, some competed for the championship, and some fought for European qualification. Costa can finally represent Atletico Madrid in the 21st round against Valencia in the crucial title match. Since announcing their return in September last year, Atletico Madrid's die-hard fans have been waiting for this day for a long time.

From the summer of 2014 to England, until today. After 1,328 days, the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium replaced Calderón, but the enthusiasm of the fans remained.

A promotional poster for Costa's return debut was placed in the most prominent position at the gate of the Metropolitano Stadium. The club's exclusive bus also temporarily covered the sponsor's advertisement with a Costa poster, which was another theme outside of the focus on the fight itself.

The hero is back!

Before the official entrance, Atletico Madrid held a small welcome ceremony for Costa, when the live DJ led the audience of 50,000 people to chant Costa's name, Costa, who is accustomed to countless big scenes, his facial muscles twitched slightly, and he almost burst into tears in front of the live camera.

"Atletico fans welcome their heroes! See how much of a fighting spirit this can inspire Costa. This season has not been smooth for him, and it will be interesting to see if the familiar fans can help him gradually find himself. ”

Simeone understands the emotional needs of the fans, but as a manager he must be accountable to the team, and he chose to use Gameiro as one of the two strikers. He made few appearances at Chelsea in the first half of the season and did not experience the intensity of competitive competition in the months following his move to Atletico. It doesn't hurt to let him take a break.

Wouldn't coming off the bench be one more chance to enjoy the applause of the audience?

Atletico Madrid were evenly matched in the first half, Valencia was able to secure the second place in the standings and beat Atletico, and manager Marcelino has been effective in transforming the team. The midfield combination of Kondogbia and Parejo is tough, even in the face of Thomas who is like a small tank, Kondogbia will not fall behind, and once Atletico loses the ball, Parejo can directly find striker Zaza with a long pass, and instantly hit Atletico's outstretched fist back.

However, in the first half, Simeone at least responded to the previous media questions. The attacking formation is not for abuse. In the face of the championship opponent, I still dare to fight like this!

At half-time, Simeone decided to strengthen the attacking line. The first thing that came to mind was Costa who sat on the bench in the first half.

"Diego, it's up to you in the second half. You change Kevin and come down to rest. Is there a problem? "Simeone laid out in front of the tactical board.

"No problem, boss, I'm ready!" Gameiro stood up and replied in a heartfelt manner. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Simeone nodded, his eyes turned around Wen Zhihao and Griezmann, and then fell back to Costa and said, "I want to see what is shown in training. ”

Although Simeone looked at Costa, he said this to the three people, and Wen Zhihao and Griezmann were also faintly excited. In order to practice this tactic, everyone has been punished, and it cannot be in vain, it must be effective.

Under Simeone's stern appearance, he is actually looking forward to the actual combat effect between the three. Only when it is proven in the game can this style of play have the value of continuing to improve. For Atletico, who had previously embraced the idea of anti-counter-attack, the new attempt was tantamount to a complete tactical revolution.