Diego Simeone set a new record for most appearances for Atlético Madrid on Saturday, and his players paid tribute by beating Sevilla 6-1 at the Civitas Metropolitano.
Simeone, 54, managed his 613th match as Atlético coach, breaking the record set by the late Luis Aragones.
Before the La Liga game, he was presented with a framed commemorative jersey with “Legend, Simeone, 613” written on the back, and he was joined at the presentation by Aragones’ son and Simeone’s three children.
Simeone’s team followed suit with due respect, brutally sweeping away yet another of their coach’s former clubs.
Memphis Depay quickly scored twice in a row before the half-hour mark, his second shot was decisive from the edge of the box, and Youssef En-Nesiri halved the gap from close range at the end of the half.
However, Atlético had nothing to worry about. Antoine Griezmann regained a two-goal lead early in the second half and Yannick Carrasco made it 4-1.
Alvaro Morata scored twice late – the first time immediately after Ivan Rakitic missed a penalty – to complete a memorable win on Simeone’s big day.