Playing in the 55,000 capacity Vicente Calderón Stadium, near the River Manzanares in the centre of the city, Atlético's supporters pride themselves on their devotion to Los Colchoneros – the mattress makers – and dream of the day when they can again challenge their more famous neighbours across the city for supremacy.
The original club of Liverpool's Fernando Torres and, last year, of the most successful strike pairing in La Liga outside of Barcelona – Diego Forlan and Sergio, El Kun, Agüero – Atlético play neat, fast passing football which is always easy on the eye. Having already signed the promising young Spanish defender Juanito and the Under 21 goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo – and with the president determined to improve the squad even more – the coming season promises to be an exciting one for Atlético.
There's a chance that the club might be moving to a different stadium in a few years – so take in a game at the Vicente Calderón whilst there's still time; it's a fabulous experience.
