How Atletico Madrid Can Benefit from Diego Simeone's 8-Game Ban

The Madrid derby is almost upon us, and although it's still only September, it will be the third one of the season.

Atletico will be confident heading into the game having just beaten their local rivals over two legs in the Supercopa.

It's their fifth trophy under the Argentine, but he couldn't prevent his emotions from spilling over as he was sent off during the second leg.

He received an eight-game ban for his antics at the Vicente Calderon, two of which have already been served against Rayo Vallecano and Eibar.

His suspension was broken down into four games for tapping the linesman's head, a further two for protesting, one game for applauding the decision to send him off and another game for remaining in the stands instead of leaving the stadium, via The Guardian.

There were times in the first two league matches of the season where Los Rojiblancos appeared to have less energy and looked a little lethargic.

The intense pressing and methods of Simeone will naturally take their toll, while the level is always likely to drop without El Cholo orchestrating proceedings from the sidelines.

Simeone is a very animated manager, and not having your leader available to influence matches through instruction or substitutions is bound to affect the side.

At the Bernabeu, though, this may prove to be a distinct advantage.

Jose Mourinho's shenanigans during the early part of his Los Blancos tenure against Barcelona were designed to disrupt the opposition and distract the world's best team from playing their natural game.

When the team reached a similar plane to the Catalans, his sideshow performances became more of a hindrance than a help.

Atletico Madrid has lost only once to their cross-town rivals in the last four meetings, and that took a stoppage-time equaliser to deny them victory.

Having once struggled to get the better of their more illustrious neighbours, they now have the players and mentality to overcome the adversity.

Add to that the fact that Real Madrid surprisingly let a two-goal lead slip to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta and looked vulnerable defensively in exactly the same places that Atleti can capitalise.

Simeone is a passionate man, and that shouldn't be mistaken with Mourinho's more calculated approach.

But by causing a commotion on the touchline, it can disconcert his own team and may lead to his players following the example.

They play in an aggressive and physical manner that needs discipline.

If the one that's meant to be setting the example is blowing his fuse, then they may be tempted to lose their own restraint.

With high-tension matches against Valencia and Sevilla approaching in the coming weeks, it might not be such a bad thing that Simeone is missing.

He can of course still coach the team during the week and pick the side on the weekend; it just means that it's down to assistant German 'Mano' Burgos for in-game changes.

Having worked alongside his former teammate for the past three years in a managerial capacity, it's likely that he will offer similar resolutions.

The squad is well drilled in what is required from them on the pitch, and off it they know exactly what Simeone expects them to say.

New signing Christian Ansaldi is already in tune with his manager's wishes, admitting: "The idea of taking it one game at a time is good because you never lose your head and it forces you to remain focused all the time," he told Marca.

The defender has only been at the club for one month, but already he knows the mantra that the club has subscribed to over the past year.

Time away will give Simeone the opportunity to reflect on his behaviour and might make him think twice before reacting in the future.