“Touch of Humiliation”
The Spanish news agency EFE quotes an unnamed source at Atlético who speaks out against the “Pasillo”: “Some people want to turn what was born as a gesture of appreciation for the master into a public tribute to be paid by rivals and tinged with a touch of humiliation.”
Instead, Atlético circles say: “Under no circumstances will the team take part in this attempt at mockery, which completely ignores the true values of the sport and is causing tension and confrontation between fans.”
A lot of fuel before the derby
You don’t have to be a prophet to realize that things could get busy again at the “Wanda Metropolitano” on Sunday. Which is also due to the sporting starting position: Real has already secured the championship title and bought the ticket for the Champions League final against Liverpool. In short: the “Royal” can play freely.
This is by no means true for Atletico, who, after a mixed season, somehow want to try to at least secure participation in the next Champions League. Coach Diego Simeone’s team is still in fourth place in the table, which is necessary for this. But Betis Sevilla are only three points behind – a defeat against Real could have bad consequences for Atletico.
Does Simeone’s Atletico commitment wobble?
An Atletico failure could even flush coach Simeone out of office. He might even go voluntarily. “It concerns me and, as I’ve always said, you have to know how to behave in the complicated moments, of which there have been very few, almost none, in these ten and a half years.”, said the 52-year-old recently after the 0-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao. He added cryptically: “We’ll see who comes out on top in this slightly more difficult moment.”
Real has also refused
The absence of the Atletico “Pasillos” shouldn’t be blown by Real Madrid. After all, the “royals” are not exactly the masters of their country in this discipline. In 2018, Real refused the gesture to champions FC Barcelona, which in turn was a return carriage. Barca hadn’t previously performed a ‘pasillo’ after Real’s Club World Cup victory.
Source: oh yes