Simeone, Atletico chasing redemption against Arsenal

Atletico have never won Europe's premier competition, also beaten in their other final appearance in 1974. They can take a first step towards a fourth final against Mikel Arteta's side this week, in which they are celebrating the club's 123rd anniversary. In their first game back home after the Copa final disappointment, on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao, Atletico's fans gave the team a cold reception.

"The fans don't need messages (from me), what they need is to win," noted Simeone, Atletico's most decorated manager, in Seville. However by the end of the team's 3-2 victory over Athletic, only their second in the last nine games across all competitions, the mood had lightened. "We have to get up from that blow and give everything to get to the final," key striker Julian Alvarez said on Monday.

The Arsenal tie offers a route to immediate atonement, and by Wednesday the atmosphere will be frenzied, intoxicating, as it was for the quarter-final elimination of Barcelona. Atletico are no longer at the Vicente Calderon but the Metropolitano stadium is just as intense, louder still, with the increased capacity. Opened in 2017, it obviously does not have the history of its predecessor -- that will take time, and intense performances on nights like these, to build.

"Congratulations Atletico -- if you beat Arsenal, then the (anniversary) celebration will be perfect," wrote Madrid newspaper AS. The Rojiblancos' support are the loudest in Spain and Simeone called on them to give his team the edge against the Premier League leaders. "Atletico have struggled to reach the Champions League semi-finals and finals," explained the coach.