Hijacking LaLiga

SPANISH REVOLUTION

SPANISH REVOLUTION

Hijacking LaLiga looks at what went on behind the scenes as Atlético Madrid went from relegation to mid-table mediocrity to seriously threatening to the dominance of Spanish football’s two superpowers.

For years, Barcelona and Real Madrid maintained a firm grip on the country’s and the continent’s silverware, but Los Rojiblancos have managed to turn LaLiga into a three-team league, with the help of a fiery Argentine coach, a squad of cast-offs, an electric home support and an overarching commonsense financial plan.

In May 2000, the capital city side had suffered their first relegation from the top flight since 1930, but just 14 years later they would be crowned LaLiga champions. Euan McTear explores the key moments, decisions, goals and matches in their extraordinary resurgence, one which has converted Atlético Madrid into one of world football’s most powerful clubs.

Featuring a foreword from Sky Sports' David Garrido, Hijacking LaLiga...

  • Explains exactly what Atlético Madrid did to win a league title ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid and to reach two Champions League finals
  • Profiles the ‘glory years’ cast, from Radamel Falcao and Diego Costa to Antoine Griezmann
  • Eulogises the merits of a hard-fought 1-0 victory, putting one of this century's best defences under the microscope
  • Remembers the chaotic days when 'the Spanish Donald Trump' was club president
  • Examines the story of Raúl's abandoning of Atlético Madrid for rivals Real by speaking to those who were directly involved in the deal
  • Reveals what makes legendary coach Diego Simeone tick, returning to his playing career and investigating his early days in football coaching
  • Discusses the curse which former president Vicente Calderón unwittingly cast on the club after losing the 1974 European Cup final
  • Recalls the night Atlético Madrid ended 14 years of derby misery to lift the Copa del Rey in Real Madrid's stadium
  • Features interviews with those who have witnessed this journey every step of the way.
  • Is published at a crossroads moment for Atlético Madrid, just days after they christened their new stadium, one which could elevate them to superclub status.

Click here for more information, or to read a sample from Hijacking LaLiga.