ABSTRACT
German: ‘We do indeed have a very good support, Antonio, because we have both suffered and triumphed; think of our victories in Europe. Atlético de Madrid began to win international trophies in 1962, winning their only European title in a 3-0 victory in that year’s Cup Winners’ Cup final against the holders, Fiorentina. The Vicente Calderón stadium was inaugurated in 1966 and named after the club’s president at the time. The Cup Winners’ Cup win and the signing of Gárate marked the beginning of a highly successful period. The 1960s and 1970s were probably the two best decades in the club’s history. Atlético de Madrid reached the 1974 European Cup final against Bayern Munich. The game was goalless at the end of normal time, but Luis Aragonés put the colchoneros ahead with a free kick. Thirty seconds from the final whistle, Georg Schwarzenbach brought the match level with a shot from distance which the goalkeeper, Reina, could do nothing about. The Madrid side began the replay completely demoralized and physically exhausted (in those days the difference in physical condition between teams from the north and south of Europe was vast) and were defeated 4-0. That same year the Germans declined to play the Intercontinental Cup against Independiente de Avellanada and were replaced by Atlético. The first leg in Buenos Aires ended 1-2 to the Argentinians, but the second leg in Madrid on 10 April 1975 was won 2-0 by Atlético, with a goal by Abelardo four minutes from time. Atlético’s history in the Fairs Cup – currently the UEFA Cup began in 1963. In the 1963-1964 and 1964-1965 seasons, Atlético were knocked out by the same team, Juventus. In the 1966-1967 season, Atlético returned to the European Cup, but their campaign did not last long. The last significant feat by Atlético was the 1986 Cup Winners’ Cup final. Atlético travelled to the final in Lyon accompanied by 15,000 fans, but the red and whites had little chance against a great Dynamo Kiev and were defeated 2-0. Atlético’s last appearances in Europe date back to their participation in the 1996-1997 Champions League, where they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Ajax, and two subsequent UEFA campaigns, in both of which they were eliminated at the semi-final stage, firstly against Lazio and then against Parma’.
