"Atletico Mineiro": The Story of the Brazilian club

"Atletico Mineiro" - traditionally one of the strongest clubs in the Brazilian Serie A, and along with the "Cruzeiro" - one of the two giants, representing the state of Minas Gerais. The team is based in the city of Belo Horizonte and is part symbolic rating "Club Thirteen" - the organization of the most popular among fans and titled clubs in the country. According to research institutions in Brazil for the team is sick about four million people, that is the ten indicators in the country.

The history of the club

The official date of foundation, "Atletico Mineiro" is considered to be the year 25.03.1908. Was founded by entrepreneurs from Belo Horizonte. Seven years later, the team became the first champion of the state in the twenties of the last century, "males" have started to compete with the leaders of the state, and the period from 1941 to 1958 and all passed under the sign of their dominance in the league. During this period, the "Athletics" twelve times champion.

In the 60's the team from Belo Horizonte received a great handsome stadium "mineirão", but to become a champion in the new arena could only in the next decade. This period in the history of the club was in the fight for the gold medal with the "Cruzeiro", however, is more successful in this confrontation just "fox". Remarkable for "Atletico Mineiro" event took place in 1971. The team won the championship in Brazil, which, incidentally, is the only one to date.

Recent advances

In the 80-90-ies of the "males" also showed a bright and meaningful football. Atletico Mineiro in that time the seven-times champion of the state, as well as consistently played in the World Championship, taking place in the upper half of the standings. The end of the millennium was marked by the "Athletics" a great success in the international arena. Team twice won the CONMEBOL Cup, a record for the time of the drawing of the trophy.

Ups and downs

In the new century, the club from Belo Horizonte shows mixed results. By 2004, "Atletico Mineiro" has lost its leading position, both in Brazil and in South America. After the season the club and all went to the Serie B - second division football power in the country. However, a year later the team returned to the elite league.

In 2013, "Atletico Madrid" football gave its army of thousands of fans, perhaps the greatest joy in the club's history. In the final of the Copa Libertadores team of Brazil opposed the Paraguayan "Olympia". After two meetings, the expense was equal - 2: 2, and therefore, the decision about the winner of the dispute turned into a post-match penalty shootout. In football lottery were more players, "Atletico" (4: 3). Another important, and so far the only victory the team won in 2014, beating in principle match "Cruzeiro".

World Championship 2017 started the fight, "Flamengo" - "Atletico Mineiro" and ended in a draw 1: 1. In general, "Halo" have quite a balanced composition that can compete for the highest award, but to the fourteenth round of the championship team came in the status of the representative of the middle of the table.

The symbolism of the club

Mascot, "Atletico Mineiro" a rooster is Halo, so the team from Belo Horizonte and got its nickname - "cocks". This is the official symbol of the club, so the appropriate logo can be found on the players' shirts. The team's colors - black and white in various combinations. The basic set of black-and-white vertical stripes on t-shirts and black shorts. In these same colors is made and club emblem - a black shield with vertical stripes and the words "SAM" white.

Home arena

For over fifty years, home games, "Atletico Mineiro" held at the stadium "mineirão". It is noteworthy that the arena of "End of the Line" had to share with another award-winning Brazilian club - "Cruzeiro". Such a situation was not compatible with the principles of both teams, so in 2012, the team is conducting home matches of the championship at the renovated stadium "Independencia". However, once the "Athletics" still had to return to the home arena of the once - in 2013, a team from Belo Horizonte in the framework of the final match of the Libertadores Cup took Paraguayan "Olympia". The organizers of the tournament, as well as the FIFA for matches of this level there are special requirements and criteria, so a confrontation between two giants of American football was held at the "mineirão".