The Best Players of Derby Past

By: Al | October 12th, 2008

Ahh, Sunday night. The time everyone starts preparing for school/work the next day and damning the existence of Monday and the beginning of the week. Or if you’re Forlán, you’re playing foosball until the great derby arrives. What’s more annoying is that there isn’t an Atlético match from this weekend to ponder about, as international week is still going on. Man, I hate feeling like Voyeur Wenger.

And my national team Mexico sucks. You guys SUCK! What kind of performance was that?! Oh Jeeeeesus, let me cool off for a bit, I may have a heart attack…

In the spirit of the great Madrid derby one week from today, I compiled a list of players that have been important to our club during these matches. This isn’t a list of the greatest players to have played for the club, as that’s a completely different beast to tackle. I’ve included players from the 60’s to present time:

Joaquín Peiró and Miguel Jones

In the early days of Alfredi Di Stefano and the Real Madrid invasion of Europe, Joaquín Peiró and Miguel Jones were netting goals for us colchoneros. Jones was especially an important player for the club, helping win 4 titles. Both players participated in every derby in their Atlético Madrid career and helped net a few goals. A high point in the history of Atlético are the victories at the Copa del Rey (known as Copa del Generalísimo) finals against Real Madrid in 1960 and 1961, in which both players were the driving force that helped secure the title both times. Nothing better than winning a cup final derby, I say. (Peiró pictured on the left)

Luis Aragonés and José E. Gárate

The frog-like ex-Spain coach lived a couple of glorious years as a player here at Atlético, and Gárate was a 3-time Pichichi winner from 1969-71. Both were instrumental in the derbies of the late 60’s and early 70’s, in which we produced great results (in other words, where we didn’t lose the derbies that often). The high point of the two was their performance in the amazing 3-0 victory of 1970. Gárate played in 8 seasons worth of derbies and Frog Man became trainer of Atlético right after retirement as a player in 1974, Pep Guardiola style. (the Thierry Henry hater is pictured)

Rubén Cano

An Argentine-born Spanish international striker that played with the club from 1976-82 and was a deadly player in our derby victories during this time period. He scored twice in Atletico’s 4-0 win in 1977, and once in the 3-1 victory of 1980, and also a participant during all the derbies in this stint at our club. On a side note: he chose to represent Spain instead of Argentina in time for the 1978 World Cup. Boy, must he feel stupid. Why he is wearing an Argentina kit in the picture, I do not know.

Dirceu

The long-haired Brazilian is an Atlético Madrid icon that played with the club from 1979-82. He netted Atlético’s final goal in the 3-1 victory of 1980 and played in the other 4 losses and 1 draw during his reign here. A very influential player to the club overall.

Hugo Sánchez

The “pentapichichi” is the greatest North American player of all time and is a Real Madrid legend. But before breaking boundaries at the Bernabéu, he got his first taste of La Liga and European action here at Atlético. He was integral in the legendary 0-4 smashing of 1985. We made this man into a superstar, and he will never be forgiven by the Atletico faithful for going to the Bernabéu to live his dream.

Manolo

The Spanish international striker played here from 1988-1995 and was Pichichi in 1992. He netted once in the 0-3 victory of 1991 and once in both the 2-0 victory and 3-2 loss of 1992. Like everyone I’ve mentioned, he participated in all of the derbies in his Atlético career.

Honorable mentions:

Fernando Torres

An Atlético youth team product and currently a superstar at Liverpool, El Niño played in all of the derbies during his career in the first team, and netted in the 1-1 draw in 2006.

Leo Franco

A goalkeeper must be given credit where credit is due. Although it’s true that we haven’t won while he’s been playing with us, the performance given during the immense pressure of a derby match deserves some credit. Thank you, Argentine Quentin Tarantino.

Bernd Schuster: The moustached blonde German coach of Real Madrid also played for Atletico after his stint with Real. He scored in the important derby/Copa Del Rey final of 1992 securing us the Copa title.

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Win or lose, these men played their hearts out in both victories and heartbreaks (at least, most of them). I might’ve forgotten many players, but that’s because I haven’t seen any derbies before the 2000’s. For those of you that also know your Atlético facts, feel free to discuss in the comments.

In my next post, I’ll discuss Atletico’s greatest derby triumphs. Check out Real Madrid Offside for similar posts from the R. Madrid point of view.

Aupa Atleti!