Atletico Madrid President Slags Off Anfield, Anfield Awaits Second Leg

In something that has become a bit of a tradition, someone involved with a visiting club decided to take a dig at Anfield ahead of a decisive leg in a Famous European Night. Previous attempts to downplay one of the great temples of world football have not worked out so well, especially under manager Jurgen Klopp.

But traditions are traditions, and so Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo decided to take a swipe at Anfield. For tradition’s sake.

“Anfield is a great stadium that is filled with great fans, but it is also very old,” Cerezo told Gol TV.

“But if Anfield had to pass a technical inspection from UEFA, it would not be able to do so to save it’s life.”

Great. Thanks for that, Enrique. Truly, thank you from the bottom of our Scouse hearts.

The crowd—which never needs an excuse to be absolutely foaming-at-the-mouth-rabid on a European Night—will somehow be even more “up for it” after your comments.

This “old stadium” is actually a major part of our European success. The memories of inspired comebacks under far more difficult situations, from St. Etienne in 1977 to Barcelona last year, is part of our identity as a club.

The same seats, same walls, same pitch, same banners, and same songs carry over from generation to generation give the club a genetic memory—as if written into our very DNA—that will tell fans and players alike to keep pressing for the goals that will see them through to the next round.

Liverpool might not go through in two weeks. They might get put out by the odd away goal. These things happen. But one thing is certain: Atletico will be in for a major fight. And Cerezo’s comments made that fight just a little bit worse.