A look back at João Miranda’s best moments for Atlético Madrid

A look back at João Miranda’s best moments for Atlético Madrid [VIDEO]

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With the official confirmation of João Miranda’s move to Italian giants Inter Milan announced both by the player and club this week, it concludes a special four year journey for the defender and Atlético Madrid that included many special moments.

July 2011, João Miranda joined Atléti initially on a three-year contract deal from Brazilian club São Paulo. What occurred after was arguably the most successful period in the history of Los Rojiblancos, as alongside new manager Diego Simeone, Atléti looked to break the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In the four years at Atletico, Miranda formed one of, if not the best central-defensive partnership alongside fellow South American Diego Godín. In a period where great defenders are hard to come by, Miranda, alongside Godín, produced moments of the fine art of defending that has poorly been missing over the years. Yet Miranda was more than a world class defender, his aerial ability on the other side of the pitch also warrants mention.

During the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League, he first gained attention for both the ability to marshal the backline as well as trouble opposition defenders from set pieces. The second and crucial goal against domestic rivals Valencia in the semi-finals with a typical famous header paved the way as Atléti went on to the final in Bucharest.

The final against Athletic Bilbao would be the first all-Spanish European climax in recent years that Miranda would be involved in. Simeone’s Atléti were unbreakable, largely thanks to the Brazilian. Much applause goes to the goal machine Radamel Falcao yet Simeone’s comments after the game highlight the importance of his defensive players such as Miranda.

“Tonight we showed what Atlético are about – a fast team, strong defensively and I’m very proud of this,” Simeone stated after the final.

It was the beginning of the success Miranda would help contribute to for a club not well perceived as a threat, or legitimate opposition to elite opposition in recent seasons. The ability to soak up enormous amount of pressure at the back and launch quick counter-attacks was devastating to even the best. The Europa League win led to the participation in the UEFA Super Cup the following August, which again proved to be a historic moment for both the Rojiblancos and Miranda.

Chelsea’s Champions League triumph over favourites Bayern Munich introduced to the world the infamous ‘park the bus’ method. Yet, whilst their methods were able to overcome a questionable defensive and mentally weak Bayern, the strength of a defensive-turn quick attack Atléti adopted and the mentality developed under Simeone, was too much for the newly crowned Champions of Europe. Miranda would prove to be a defensive rock that not only protected and prevented any threats from Chelsea’s attack, but also sealed the fourth goal that gave the Champions League winners no chance of coming back.

The win would put Atléti back on the map of Europe and earn the club its fourth European silverware in three years, yet it would not have been possible without the Brazilian international. The manager realised the importance Miranda brought to the team, and was quick to tie-down the defender for a further two years.

“The club has always been clear that it had to extend this player’s contract. He is a defender that gives security to the team and is noted for his positioning and coolness. His great performances made it clear that we should go for the renewal,” Atléti’s director of football Jose Luis Caminero stated.

His greatest moment would come later that year and is one that will long live in the memory of Los Rojiblancos faithful, as on May 17th Miranda produced his finest and proudest moment in the red and white colours. The famous 111th Copa del Rey final would feature a fiery El Derbi madrileño clash that saw the encounter end with 14 yellow cards and two sending-offs.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s leap over Godín to score the opener after only 13 minutes of play looked to continue the 26 game losing streak Atléti had suffered since 1999 against their city rivals. Yet, before half-time Falcao superbly held off Raúl Albiol and Sami Khedira to assist Diego Costa’s perfect finish that levelled the scores. The goal brought the game alive and put Atléti under extreme pressure.

With the post, Juanfran’s clearance on the goal line and a Thibaut Courtois’ man of the match performance, Atléti stayed alive and put the game into extra time. What would result in the 123rd minute would undoubtedly put Miranda’s Atléti career into legendary status, as he scored the winner with a typical trait header to gift Los Rojiblancos their tenth Copa del Rey and first since 1992.

Miranda would grow from strength to strength and alongside Godín, would now  be considered the best centre-defensive pairing in all of Europe. This status was highlighted with the surprise 2013-14 La Liga campaign. Miranda for his part was nominated, along with teammate Filipe Luis, in the team of season with best central-defender for his part in Atléti’s league title triumph.

Atléti’s became the first La Liga team to win the league title outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona since Rafa Benítez’ Valencia side that won the 2003-04 La Liga campaign. Miranda’s performances during the season would contribute to Atléti’s first league in 18 years and their 10th overall. The emergence of Diego Costa and Koke were undoubtedly the two players to have gained attention for the famous triumph for the Madrid side, however, as the table shows, the goals did not translate into trophies.

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77 goals throughout the campaign is a lot lower than both Barcelona and Real, who both scored 100 plus. Instead, it was the likes of Miranda who contributed to the league’s best goals against record, only conceding 26 times. The rock solid Miranda was ever dependable throughout the season with the notable conclusion showing the impact the Brazilian had brought to Simeone’s team. The draw on the final day and the defensive performance of the team, particularly Miranda against Barcelona, sealed Atléti’s historic La Liga win.

The excellent defensive performances of Miranda were followed up in the Champions League of that same season. with the Brazilian notably having exceptional games against Zenit St Petersburg and Austria Wien, scoring in both matches and claiming five clean sheets throughout the competition, including against Barcelona and Chelsea, helping Atléti reach the final in Lisbon, again against city rivals Real Madrid.

Whilst not adding the Champions League to his collection of honours with Atlético Madrid, Miranda had notable moments with the club during his four year period that would forever be remembered by Los Rojiblancos faithful. His contribution led to the rise and recent success of Atléti, and more importantly their place now among Europe’s elite. 177 official games, 13 goals and four seasons later Miranda departs Atlético Madrid a legend.

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