As a supporter of Antwerp and Atletico, Gert Jacobs could not miss Arthur Vermeeren’s first match in Madrid. “He has been thrown to the lions,” said the co-founder of the Belgian fan club Peña Atlética Diablos Rojiblancos. Atletico coach Diego Simeone talked about “45 minutes of discovery”.
Arthur Vermeeren (18) made a discreet debut at Atlético Madrid last night. He was substituted during the break.
Gert Jacobs witnessed it from the front row. The loyal Atletico fan flew back and forth to Madrid for the league match against Vallecano (2-1).
“Vermeeren has been thrown to the lions,” says the co-founder of the Peña Atlética Diablos Rojiblancos.
“After barely 5 days he was already in the team and not yet in his position, but on the right. The coach had rotated a lot and Vermeeren did not get the best passes,” says Jacobs.
“There was also understanding in the stadium for the match of such a young player. The Atletico fans previously grumbled about the performance of the experienced midfielder Saul Niguez.”
For the first time they had to print the name Vermeeren on a shirt, they told me.
Gert Jacobs
Gert Jacobs has been a fan of Atletico for years. “Since the late 1990s,” he says. “Then I discovered the team through the Championship Manager game. Afterwards I also started studying.”
Last night in Madrid, Jacobs immediately visited the Atletico fan shop. “For a Vermeeren shirt,” he beams.
“For the first time they had to print the name Vermeeren on a jersey. Or so they said,” the fan laughs.
This contains inserted content from a social media network that wants to write or read cookies (????). You have not given permission for this.
Click here to still allow this
“I won’t set foot in the Bernabeu”
As an Antwerp and Atletico fan, Gert Jacobs is delighted with the transfer of Arthur Vermeeren.
“Certainly, although Antwerp could perhaps have earned a little more from it,” he thinks.
“But Atletico seems perfect for Vermeeren. I see similarities between the two clubs: the colors, the family character and the style of the coaches.”
“Atletico also likes to put a lot of pressure on. The time of fighting football is a thing of the past,” the Atletico supporter points out.
Now that Vermeeren plays football for Atletico, Jacobs plans to travel back and forth to Madrid more often.
“I have tickets for the Champions League match against Inter,” he says. He will suit up for the city derby against Real on Sunday.
“On principle I will not set foot in the Bernabeu,” he laughs. “I did it once: when Atletico won the Spanish Cup in 2013. That was wonderful!”
Arthur Vermeeren last week at his performance in Madrid.
Spanish newspaper: “Without standing out, but also without hiding”
Not only Atletico supporters, but also the Spanish newspapers showed understanding for Arthur Vermeeren’s modest debut.
For AS, Vermeeren mainly adapted to the field, the stadium and his teammates for 45 minutes. “Without standing out, but also without hiding.”
“Logical for a player who played in the Metropolitano’s midfield three training sessions later.”
A similar story in AS. “Vermeeren was just as shy on the field as he was during his presentation,” which the newspaper attributes to his young age.
According to AS, Vermeeren was “thrown into the bath by Simeone to see if he could swim.”
These 45 minutes have given him the opportunity to get acquainted with a new competition in an impressive stadium.
Diego Simeone
Atletico coach himself spoke of “an investment in a player with an important future.”
“Vermeeren has personality and these 45 minutes have given him the opportunity to get acquainted with a new competition in an impressive stadium. And to discover the responsibilities that await him.”
Will Vermeeren get his discovery minutes again on Sunday against Real?
Related:
