The Penalty That Haunts Atleti
Since that fateful penalty shootout in the Champions League, something changed in Atlético and its fans. You can feel it in every corner of the Metropolitano, on the street, in conversations. The memory of Julián’s penalty weighs like a slab, reliving the club’s eternal struggle to conquer the Champions League.
Although the elimination in the Cup was a new blow, the Champions League wound remains open for many. Those fateful seconds where the European dream vanished once again. Simeone, true to his style, does not hide and verbalizes the general feeling, assuming responsibility in a difficult moment.
His courage annoys those who want his failure, both rivals and some within the club who never accepted that this was Cholo’s Atlético. The emotional blow is evident, as reflected in the Cup. That penalty continues to hover over the Metropolitano, a constant reminder of the lost opportunity and the continuous struggle to achieve glory.
