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MADRID. — In the dying moments of Diego Simeone’s second Madrid derby in charge of Atletico, a banner was lowered behind the goal his side was defending to display a stinging message: “Wanted: A dignified rival for a decent derby”. The display by the Real Madrid ultras had more truth to it than the usual chutzpah exchanged between rival fans.

It had been 13 years since Atletico had beaten Real, a run that would stretch into a 14th year and 25th match when Real’s reserves won out once more at the Vicente Calderon five months later.

Suddenly, though, on an unseasonably cold Madrid May evening, the tide began to turn in the Spanish capital.

Having waited for so long for a derby win, Atletico did so in style by beating Real in their own backyard at the Santiago Bernabeu to win the Copa del Rey in what proved to be Jose Mourinho’s last competitive game in charge.

In 14 derbies in less than two years since, Atletico have won six to Real’s four and added the Spanish Supercup and an unthinkable La Liga title to their trophy haul in just over three years since Simeone took over.

Moreover, three of the five trophies won under the Argentine have been garnered by overcoming the vast gap in financial wealth between Atletico and their neighbours, as well as Spanish football’s other powerhouse, Barcelona.

Simeone has revolutionised a club that once used to revel in their label as “El Pupas” — AFP.