Atletico Madrid fans overwhelmingly view their 2014 UEFA Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in Lisbon as the most painful result in their club's history ahead of the first Madrid derby of the season at the Metropolitano Stadium.
According to data from a new study, 89 per cent of Atletico supporters identified the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016 as the European nights they would erase from history if given the chance.
Ahead of the upcoming clash between the capital rivals, Atletico manager Diego Simeone praised the atmosphere in the Spanish capital, describing Madrid as spectacular and growing, with great energy that he hoped everyone could enjoy.
The findings come from the study titled Amor y Odio en Espana: el futbol como religion. Asi somos los espanoles como tribu futbolera, conducted by betting company Betfair to analyze the preferences and rivalries of fans in Spain's top division.
When asked which historical results they would change, 63 per cent of Atletico supporters selected the 2014 final in Portugal, where a 93rd minute header by Sergio Ramos forced extra time before Real Madrid secured victory. In contrast, 26 per cent chose the 2016 final in Milan, which was decided by a penalty shootout.
The survey data indicates that the memory of the defeat in Lisbon remains nearly three times as painful for Atletico supporters as falling at the San Siro stadium two years later, despite more time having passed since the earlier match.
Rosiane Siqueira, Senior Public Relations Manager at Betfair, said the data demonstrates that the scar left by the Lisbon final remains open even after 12 years. Siqueira explained that Atletico came exceptionally close to winning their first Champions League title against their eternal rival that night, making the eventual loss particularly painful.
Siqueira added that the manner of the defeat hurt even more than the outcome itself, as the added-time goal led directly to a high scoring final result for Real Madrid. She noted that these dramatic circumstances were not repeated in the Milan final, which, while painful, unfolded in a less dramatic fashion. Siqueira also pointed out that a first final defeat to a local rival always leaves a deeper mark than subsequent ones.
Perception of the Madrid Derby Rivalry
The Betfair study highlights a clear asymmetry in how fans of both capital clubs view their rivalries. While 52 per cent of Atletico supporters stated they would erase Real Madrid from existence if possible, and 55.7 per cent called Real Madrid fans the most unbearable in Spain, the feeling is not mirrored to the same degree by their rivals.
For Real Madrid supporters, Barcelona remains the primary rival, with 70.5 per cent expressing rejection toward the Catalan club. Only 8.5 per cent of Real Madrid fans identified Atletico as their main rival. Furthermore, 18 per cent of Real Madrid supporters stated they would support Atletico if Real Madrid ever ceased to exist, whereas only 4.3 per cent of Atletico fans said they would switch to Real Madrid under the same circumstances.
When asked about the future of the sport, supporters of both teams agreed that football without their main rival would be boring. However, 35.7 per cent of Atletico fans preferred the idea of football without Real Madrid, compared to 27.8 per cent of Real Madrid fans who preferred a game without Atletico.
Shared Views on Barcelona and Transfer Dreams
Despite their differences, supporters of both Madrid clubs share common ground regarding Barcelona. The survey reveals that 31.4 per cent of Atletico fans would also choose to erase Barcelona if given the opportunity.
Imagination-based questions in the survey also revealed similar desires among both sets of supporters. When asked to choose a dream scenario in football, 47 per cent of fans from both clubs agreed that taking a star player from their main rival would be the ultimate achievement, referencing the famous transfer of Luis Figo between Spanish rivals.
Additionally, fans of both clubs prioritized their own team's success over their rival's failure. The study found that 93.5 per cent of Real Madrid fans and 94.3 per cent of Atletico fans preferred to see their club win a trophy, compared to just 6.5 per cent of Real Madrid fans and 5.7 per cent of Atletico fans who preferred seeing their rival relegated.
Cross Town Sympathy for Enrique Cerezo
The study also examined public figures, revealing that Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo enjoys surprising popularity across club lines. Cerezo was chosen by 31 per cent of Atletico fans as the ideal person with whom to watch a match.
Remarkably, 5 per cent of Real Madrid supporters also selected the Atletico president as their preferred companion for watching Real Madrid games, demonstrating that Cerezo's distinctive personality generates sympathy beyond his own club's fanbase.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are two of Spain's most successful football clubs, competing in La Liga and European tournaments. The UEFA Champions League represents the premier competition in European club football, a tournament Real Madrid has won multiple times, while Atletico continues to pursue its first title in the competition.
