Because the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off in November, Diego Simeone was below extra strain than he had been below at maybe another time in his spell as Atlético Madrid coach.
His model of soccer was scrutinized, his fashion criticised, his entire philosophy trashed. He was blamed for the underperformance of attacking gamers like João Félix and questioned over the defensive insecurity. They stated that Cholismo was useless.
But, the Qatar World Cup has revived Cholismo to its peak in a wholly completely different type. It’s made clear the significance of the legacy that Simeone will depart behind each time his time with Atlético involves an finish.
It’s Walid Regragui’s Morocco that has revived the mid-2010s Cholismo, on their method to a World Cup semifinal subsequent week towards reigning champions France. Utilizing a 4-1-4-1 which might revert right into a 5-4-1, Morocco have constructed a robust defensive unit that has conceded just one purpose (an personal purpose at that) on this World Cup.
The defensive construction has pissed off European giants Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and Morocco have seemed lethal on the counter due to speedy wingers and a giant center-forward (Youssef En-Nesyri) main the road.
“This Morocco has an air of the great instances of Cholo Simeone: a staff that runs, that bites, that defends, that is aware of find out how to wait and that is aware of find out how to kill when it’s proper,” José Luis Guerrero wrote for Relevo.
Photograph by Tom Weller/image alliance through Getty Pictures
“We performed Simeone-style and received,” Sevilla and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stated after the 3-0 penalty shootout win over Spain within the final 16. “I’ve to thank all my teammates who’ve helped me enormously. It was a colossal effort. I applaud them for his or her work. We’ve to remain targeted and remember what lies forward.”
Bono would know effectively, having had a stint with Atlético Madrid between 2012 and 2016, making 47 appearances for the membership’s B staff whereas Cholismo was at its peak.
“We had a giant coronary heart, we didn’t depart areas and we had technical gamers who make the distinction. Our fashion of play was much like the one we used towards Spain, and it’s much like Cholo Simeone’s too,” Moroccan coach Regragui defined after Saturday’s 1-0 over Portugal due to an En-Nesyri purpose. “Some folks say one thing that it’s not good, however he’s carried out it very effectively. We’re doing very well tactically.”
“Our fashion of play was much like the one we used towards Spain, and it’s much like Cholo Simeone’s too.”
Regragui has adopted Simeone’s ways carefully. He started his teaching profession in 2012 simply as Simeone was constructing his Atlético Madrid staff. This got here solely six years after Regragui had performed for Racing Santander in Spain, and he truly made one look towards Atlético Madrid in a 2-1 win in March 2005 (although he by no means shared the sphere with Simeone).
After retiring as a participant, Regragui discovered his commerce as an assistant to Rachid Taoussi for Morocco, and he went on to spend six years with Religion Union Sport in his residence nation and had a short spell with Al-Duhail in Qatar. This yr he discovered actual success, profitable a double by way of the Moroccan league and the CAF Champions League with Wydad AC, resulting in his appointment as Morocco’s nationwide staff coach in August.
That gave him solely a bit over two months to put in his philosophy right into a gifted squad. The media weren’t satisfied, insultingly calling him “Mr. Avocado Head,” however he has surprised each followers and admirers the world over.
Morocco’s mid to low-block is one which doesn’t simply sit deep and defend with 10 males behind the ball always.
Morocco’s mid- to low-block doesn’t simply sit deep and defend with 10 males behind the ball always. It invitations the opposition to dominate possession after which seems to counter by way of a direct method and unimaginable energy at set items. The technique and its execution are harking back to the most effective Atlético groups below Simeone’s management.
The African aspect have already made historical past by turning into the primary to achieve the World Cup semi-finals, impressed by an Argentine in Madrid. Simeone is probably not having fun with the most effective second of his profession, however his legacy lives on — and it’s clear that Cholismo nonetheless has loads of adherents.