#4 Failure to turn up in the big games
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In their title-winning season, in six games against Real, Barca and Sevilla, Atletico amassed a total of 10 points – not losing even once. The highlight, of course, was when Atletico held on against Barca at Camp Nou on the final day of the season despite losing Diego Costa and Arda Turan to injuries in the first 30 minutes (thus robbing Simeone's hand of two tactical substitutions he could have made). Atletico were mentally resilient – and they made the big occasions count.
In the present season, however, they have already lost to Real at home and Sevilla away, and escaped with a point against Barca at Camp Nou. When you have a clear gap in points with your title rivals, the most direct route towards making it up is beating them – yet Atletico's record in the big games in the league this season leaves a lot to be desired.
Therefore, even with home games coming up against Barca and Sevilla, not many La Liga fans would put their money on Atletico making the occasion count to their advantage.
