Atletico woe hits Barca yet again

ATLETICO MADRID are known as ‘Los Colchoneros’ — mattress makers — because of their red-and-white striped shirts, but there have been times when their supporters believed it was because they provided a comfortable rest for the opposition.

Forever in the shadow of Real, Atleti’s fans have become more used to lows than highs. This looked like another disappointing season as they fell to the foot of the table and out of the Champions League after qualifying for the first time in 13 years.

But Atleti have two special characteristics. One is a passionate hatred and contempt for Real Madrid. The other is that they have become Barcelona’s bogeymen.