Gabi Fernandez: The leader of Atleti's fearless new breed

Nacho Labarga 10:50 22/04/2014
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  • Atletico's anchor: Gabi (r) is key to Los Rojiblancos' system.

    In a season full of shocks, Atletico Madrid have been at the vanguard, tearing down the barricades that surround the game’s modern elite.

    Guided by their formidable head coach Diego Simeone, Atleti have stormed to the top of La Liga and into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

    Chelsea are the next side in Los Rojiblancos sights, with the pair meeting for the first leg of their last-four tie in Madrid tonight.

    Traditional heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona have already been cast aside by the Argentine’s aggressive, committed troops in La Liga.

    Barca also had no answer to Atleti’s passion when they met in the quarter-finals of European football’s leading club competition, with the 2-1 aggregate scoreline doing little to quantify the difference between them over two legs.

    Club legend Simeone was a fearsome, inspirational midfielder during an outstanding playing career which took in two spells at the Vicente Calderon.

    Now back in the Spanish capital, this time as manager, he has under him a group of talented footballers that embody those same tenacious qualities.

    Captain Gabi is the conduit between the bench and the pitch.

    He stands as a symbol of the regeneration this once erraticallyrun club has gone through during Simeone’s transformative two-anda-half-year spell in charge.

    Atletico once stood in trepidation when faced with clubs of Chelsea’s standing.

    Not any more.

    “We aren’t afraid of anything, we just respect them,” the 30-year-old explained. “They’re used to being in finals and winning titles. 

    “But we’re going to play how we know in order to make it to the final in Lisbon.

    “It would be amazing to play the final. But first of all, we need to beat a powerful team like Chelsea.”

    Previously under Simeone’s charge, Atletico lifted the Europa League in 2012 and edged a titianic Copa del Rey final with city rivals Real last season.

    This season, they have gone from cup kings to legitimate title challengers.

    The 43-year-old dominates every touchline he stands on, urging his players forward and setting an unforgiving tempo few can live with.

    Barcelona’s aristocrats certainly could not in the previous round, as Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta were brushed away with impressive ease.

    Clad in an all-black suit, with slick-backed hair and days-old stubble, he transmits a message that he and his team are not to be messed with.

    “He is the same person as you see on TV, a very competitive football manager who conveys his winning mentality,” Gabi added. “We thought that it would be impossible to do all what we’re doing now. He’s a great coach who has the virtue of passing on his passion.

    “He’s writing history right now. Simeone is creating a very important identity for us and our fans. The secret is none other than our unity, hard work and sacrifice. Also that we believe in an idea or in a way of playing that is working very well.

    “We’re a strong team that believes in ourselves. Rivals think that we’re an uncomfortable team to beat during a football match.”

    The only estabished star in the Atleti ranks is Spain’s all-time record goalscorer David Villa, following Barcelona’s decision to dispense with the legendary – but ageing – striker’s services last summer.

    Emerging talents fill the rest of the squad. Two of which have varying attachments to today’s opponents.

    Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has excelled during three loan spells from Chelsea, providing a giant presence between the Atletico goalposts.

    At just 21-years-old, he is performing to the highest standard in a position where players are not expected to reach maturity for another decade.

    Team-mate Diego Costa’s 35 goals in all competitions have made him the most-wanted forward in Europe, with rumours refusing to ebb away about an imminent move to Stamford Bridge.

    When quizzed about the Brazilian-born Spain international’s future, Gabi was hopeful he is there to stay. 

    “The club has made a huge effort to keep all of us in the team,” he said. “The base is made and I’m sure that the team will be together for a long time.”

    The quarter-final victory against Barcelona highlighted Atletico’s collective power.

    Both Costa and Turkey winger Arda Turan played intermittent roles in the two legs because of injury.

    Lesser sides would have folded.

    Instead, Simeone’s men rose to the challenge with substitute Diego scoring a sensational 35-yard strike in the first leg at the Nou Camp.

    “We were without two of our most important football players but no one is more important than the team,” Gabi explained. “This is one of our key elements, so it doesn’t matter who is playing. All our football players can do a really good job.”

    This “really good job” has seen Atletico move four points clear in La Liga and near the summit of European football.

    The nickname ‘El Pupas’ (the jinxed ones) seems more distant with each game.

    Not in enough time for Gabi.

    “Maybe the nickname was because of the majority of the things that happened in Atletico Madrid didn’t happen in other Spanish football clubs,” he said. “There was a genuine sensation of bitterness, but this belongs to history. We’re a winning team now. This has been Atletico’s best season. We can create history this year and we will fight for both the Spanish title and the Champions League.” 

    Gabi's grabs…

    Gabi on his teammates
    For a night out? Diego Godin
    To visit a museum? Aranzubia
    A shopping trip? Juanfran
    To go on holiday? Koke

    Define using one word
    Simeone: Passion
    Diego Costa: Sacrifice
    Mourinho: Intelligence
    Cristiano Ronaldo: Ambition
    Messi: Best

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