We are counting down the Top 10 Teams of the Decade—at No.8: Atletico Madrid, 2013-14.
While undoubtedly talented up front, Atletico Madrid offered a different slant on football at the top level in 2014: a rugged, bruising, defence-first one.
Diego Godin and Miranda, Gabi and Tiago, Diego Costa and David Villa. The spine was made of three sensational pairs, and all three offered quality on the ball and Diego Simeone-inspired wrath off it.
They won La Liga with 90 points, sealing it with a draw at the Camp Nou against Barcelona on the final day, and came within seconds of winning the Champions League, too—only for Real Madrid to spoil their party with their own last-gasp heroics.
But don’t let that detract from what was a great team and a phenomenal season—late heartbreak on one night in Lisbon or not.
Best XI: Thibaut Courtois; Juanfran, Diego Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Koke, Tiago, Gabi, Raul Garcia; David Villa, Diego Costa