Atletico Madrid: How did they become so good? Five factors in their rise

Atletico Madrid have become one of world football's strongest teams in recent years. That might not be fully recognised until they lift the Champions League trophy, but Europe's other top sides know to fear Diego Simeone's men. Here are five factors in their rise... 

1. Defensive style.

Atletico have a brutal defence. They have kept 13 clean sheets out of their last 15 Champions League home matches, let in just 16 goals in 35 league games, and a host of other impressive statistics. The way they do this is to encourage the other team to have the ball, but never in areas that can hurt them. That doesn't just mean their own half; Atletico are fine to defend their penalty area and let teams push forward on them. What they are careful to do is to press hyperactively when the ball seems like going near a dangerous area, encouraging opponents to keep possession by shuffling it back to a safer zone. Atletico defend deep and narrow, usually playing four central midfielders, even if a couple of them have wider roles. Because of how good the coach's system is, when key defenders like Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez get injured, they can be replaced - just look at how well Lucas Hernandez, 20, did against Barcelona.

2. Diego Simeone

Arguably the best coach in the world, Diego Simeone is the biggest motivator around. He has the entire squad singing to his tune. The fans too. He inspires Rojiblanco players and supporters alike, turning football games into something more important, hinting at higher values, work, dedication and more. Dressed head-to-toe in black, Simeone exudes menace to opponents, power to allies. Atletico fans are inspired by 'Cholismo' and back their team loudly and proudly, turning the Vicente Calderon into a nightmare for visiting sides. Tactically sharp, defensive minded and always polite in his press conferences, Simeone draws from the Mourinho playbook - at least the useful parts, eschewing some of the Portuguese's excesses. 

3. Transfer strategy

Atletico replace players very well indeed. The striker situation is often brought up - Forlan, Torres, Aguero, Falcao, all replaced, with their successors impressing. That chain seemed to stop after Diego Costa was sold to Chelsea, with Mario Mandzukic not performing brilliantly and then Jackson Martinez struggling, but Fernando Torres has burst into life recently, justifying his loan from AC Milan on a technical level, as well as an emotional one. They've even replaced their goalkeepers well. David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois and now Jan Oblak, with the Slovenian a key part of Europe's strongest backline. In general they also tend to stay away from hiring players with big profiles - and big egos. Because to survive and thrive at Atletico, you must be willing to sacrifice.

4. Youth, experience, hunger

Atletico have some of the most talented youngsters in world football. Oblak, Gimenez, Lucas Hernandez, Matias Kranevitter, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez, Oliver Torres, Yannick Carrasco, Angel Corea, Luciano Vietto... all 23 or under. Koke 24, Antoine Griezmann 25. But as well as the hunger and desire those young players bring, it's mixed with experience all over the field. Godin in defence, Gabi and Tiago in midfield, Torres up front. Atletico have a great mix - and there's nobody in the squad who's won it all, with the exception of Fernando Torres. But even the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker says that "nothing would compare" to winning trophies with his boyhood club, including his Spain successes.

5. Change of mentality

Atletico Madrid like to be known as the underdog, but now they are the underdog who ends up with the bone instead of the one that gets put down. They've put the cat among the pigeons in Spain, turning from the nearly-men into a side who could conceivably lift every trophy they fight for. Before Atletico were born-to-lose, second best, limp opponents for Real Madrid in the capital's main derby. Now it is their more illustrious neighbours who have something to fer on derby day. This ties in with Simeone's management, of course.