Top 5 Moments from Atletico Madrid's 2014-15 Liga Season

In the 2014-15 season in La Liga, Atletico Madrid weren't able to scale the heights they did in 2013-14, backing up a title-winning campaign with one in which the club was forced to settle for third place. 

But that doesn't mean Atleti's season was short of memorable moments—there were plenty. In fact, whereas the season prior was defined by silverware, Atletico's 2014-15 was actually defined by moments and how an array of brief acts encapsulated the essence of Diego Simeone's team. 

From beautifully worked set pieces to stunning solo goals, from body blows to Real Madrid to acts of remarkable bravery, Atleti's five finest moments neatly sum up the Atletico Madrid of 2014-15. 

Across the following slides, we take a look at those five. 

Arda Turan's Game-Winning Goal vs. Real Madrid

Less than a month earlier, Atletico Madrid had already landed a significant blow to their crosstown rivals Real Madrid, snatching away the Spanish Super Cup to kick off the domestic season. 

And here, Diego Simeone's men were at it again.

In the first league derby of the season, Los Colchoneros took three points away from the Bernabeu, compounding Real's early-season woe as Arda Turan finished off a slick move to earn a 2-1 victory for the visitors. 

The goal was a brilliant example of the shift in Atleti's play in 2014-15, a fine passing sequence highlighting the more intricate method adopted by the 2014 Spanish champions. 

4-Part Set-Piece Goal vs. Sevilla

Last season, set-piece goals had grown to become a major weapon for Atletico Madrid, but in 2014-15, the men from the Vicente Calderon took their dead-ball excellence to a new level. 

Indeed, Diego Simeone's side showcased a remarkable degree of planning and variety in such situations this season, best exemplified by Saul Niguez's goal against Sevilla. 

From a free-kick, Gabi steered clear of the congestion in the middle of the box, finding Arda Turan near the edge of the area. The Turk (an unlikely first target), headed the ball back to Miranda, who in turn volleyed it back across the six-yard box to find the head of Saul who nodded home from close range. 

Four players, four touches, the ball not hitting the ground once. 

Exquisite. 

Saul Niguez's Bicycle-Kick Goal vs. Real Madrid

It was the second Derbi madrileno of the league campaign, and Atletico Madrid had already grabbed the all-important opening goal. 

Inside the atmospheric Vicente Calderon, the hosts had been ferocious. They'd won every ball, every tackle, every contest. Real Madrid, though all too aware of Atleti's threat, hadn't known what had hit them. And then the home side delivered a knockout blow. 

Mario Mandzukic, in the middle of a commanding exhibition of centre-forward play, picked out the surging Guilherme Siqueira, who charged into the visitors' penalty area. Right at the touch line, the Brazilian chipped a pass to Saul Niguez, the ball travelling high and slightly behind the Spaniard. 

But Saul launched himself into a spectacular bicycle kick, smashing his shot off the inside of the post and into the net past a helpless Iker Casillas. 

Jose Gimenez's Head-First Block vs. Getafe

Throughout Diego Simeone's tenure at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico Madrid have been renowned for their tenacity, defensive excellence and unwavering commitment to one another. 

And in a brief moment in March, Jose Gimenez encapsulated exactly those qualities, summing up an entire team with a single act. 

Indeed, at home to Getafe, the Uruguayan completed a remarkable act of bravery. Pablo Sarabia had played a ball into the feet of Alvaro Vazquez, who laid it off nicely to Fredy Hinestroza. Hinestroza then dummied twice, opening up the opportunity to shoot after Gimenez had gone flying by. 

But as the Getafe forward struck his shot, Gimenez, from his position on the ground, flung himself head first to Hinestroza's boot, blocking the shot with his head while risking a possibly catastrophic injury. 

Never will you see a better example of Atletico's cherished commitment to the cause. 

Antoine Griezmann's Bicycle-Kick Goal vs. Deportivo La Coruna

Fittingly, it was Antoine Griezmann who delivered the ultimate Atletico Madrid goal in 2014-15. 

In a sparkling debut season with Atleti, the Frenchman struck this stunning bicycle-kick goal when his team travelled to Galicia to take on Deportivo La Coruna.

The goal was the result of yet another set piece from Diego Simeone's men, one in which Atleti's ability to keep the ball alive in a scrappy situation was epitomised. 

And really, it summed up Atletico's attack for the whole season: The threat of the precocious Griezmann combined with set-piece excellence.