There's no denying it. The last few months have been glorious for Atletico Madrid fans. First they had that historic triumph against Fulham in the UEFA Europa League final. They then topped it off in pre-season by comfortably seeing off Champions League winners Inter Milan in the European Supercup. The only disappointment has been a Copa del Rey final defeat to Sevilla in May. But the fans still got their day out in the Nou Camp. It was an astonishing finale to the season for the Colchoneros and after the astute summer additions of Diego Godín, Fran Merida and Filipe Luis and an opening day 4-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon, confidence is sky high. They even managed to keep onto their fearsome front pairing: Forlan and Agüero. The Vicente Calderon senses their time is coming. They're on the edge of something special.
So it came as a bit of a surprise to me when I read president Enrique Cerezos comments today when he stated that there would be no place for Cristiano Ronaldo in Atletis first XI. Followed up with 'I want to see Real Madrid in the rear view mirror all season long'. Don't get me wrong, I'd be the first to celebrate Atletico Madrid finishing above Real Madrid. Anything to break this ongoing duopoly that has gripped La Liga. But does Cerezo really believe Cristiano wouldn't get in his side? Does he honestly expect Atletico to finish above their free-spending neighbours with Jose Mourinho at the helm? Nothing wrong with a bit of bravado, but he certainly could have waited until December to start the rallying calls. During the second match weekend, we'll see if his comments served to fire up his players. Or if they piled unnecessary pressure on a team more than capable of self-destructing in times gone by. A date in the Cathedral of Spanish football against Athletic Bilbao and big Fernando Llorente awaits.
