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Diego Simeone’s midweek masterclass shows what Farhad Moshiri’s Everton dream could have been
Liverpool’s recent Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid appeared to divide opinion. Some suggested that the defensive style of Diego Simeone’s men left a sour taste. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp was left disappointed by the way in which Los Colchoneros dumped his team out of the Champions League.
Others, however, called it what it was, a masterclass. Atleti performed wonders against a thriving Liverpool side, at Anfield, by trusting the brilliance of their world-class goalkeeper and exposing the weakness in Liverpool’s side.
It was vintage Simeone. The Argentine has developed a reputation for this sort of pragmatic football and Everton fans certainly enjoyed watching him dish it out over their fierce rivals.
It also begged the question, what if?
Because Simeone was Everton chairman Farhad Moshiri’s first-choice to be the new Everton manager back in 2017.
Everton’s majority shareholder had a dream that involved appointing the Atletico Madrid manager. It always seemed like a massive long-shot. Not only because Simeone is on a reported €22 million (£20 million) per year salary, , but because the Argentine is a La Liga winner who regularly operates in the Champions League.
Of course Everton are now managed by Carlo Ancelotti and, largely, he has won over the Everton fans with some improved performances since arriving.
However, when he faced Liverpool with Everton, it was not a pretty sight as a weakened Reds side dumped the Toffees out of the Champions League.
Everton fans will hope that when the Premier League season gets back underway Ancelotti can repeat some of Simeone’s magic over their old foes.