As a fan who has lived in Madrid for many years, I’ve always wanted to find games that could authentically recreate the feeling of watching Atleti matches. I recently tried several mainstream football competitive games and would like to share my thoughts with you.
Why Choose Atlético Madrid-Themed Games
Atlético Madrid’s tactical style is quite unique, and Simeone’s defensive counterattack system is actually very difficult to perfectly replicate in football games. Among the several games I’ve tried, some can restore the team’s tactical discipline, while others focus more on individual skill displays. If you’re also a die-hard fan of Los Colchoneros, you should understand what I mean by wanting to recreate the atmosphere of the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in a game.
Mainstream Game Comparison
I mainly tested three games, here’s a simple comparison:
| Game Title | Atleti Player Accuracy | Tactical System | Recommendation Rating |
|---|
| EA Sports FC 24 | 90% | Fairly Realistic | ★★★★☆ |
| eFootball | 85% | Offense-Oriented | ★★★☆☆ |
| Football Manager | 95% | Most Realistic | ★★★★★ |
As you can see from the table, if you want the most authentic tactical experience, the FM series is undoubtedly the top choice. However, if you prefer the competitive feel of hands-on gameplay, EA Sports FC would be a better option.
My Gaming Experience
In EA Sports FC 24, the player models of stars like Griezmann and Morata are quite impressive, especially Griezmann’s celebration moves are spot-on. You can set up the classic 4-4-2 formation in the game, and the sense of pressing during defense is well-crafted. The only issue is that the game pace is much faster than real matches, making it sometimes difficult to execute Atleti’s patient defensive counterattack style.
While eFootball is free-to-play, it has relatively less licensed Atleti content. However, if you just want casual play without pursuing perfect realism, this game is adequate. The graphics are well-optimized and run smoothly even on standard PC configurations.
I originally wanted to try the older Pro Evolution Soccer 2021, but discovered the servers were shut down.
Advice for Beginners
If you’re just starting with football games, including Real Madrid games, I recommend starting with EA Sports FC. This game has a comprehensive tutorial system and offers an English interface. You can start by playing a few friendly matches with Atleti to familiarize yourself with the controls, then try career mode or ultimate team mode.
For players who want an in-depth club management experience, while Football Manager has a steep learning curve, it truly lets you feel the impact of every decision as a head coach. Starting a save with Atleti and attempting to achieve breakthroughs in La Liga and the Champions League is genuinely fulfilling. Remember to allocate your budget wisely—Atleti doesn’t have the financial firepower of Real Madrid or Barcelona.
