FROM MADRID TO ASIA. ATLÉTICO LEAVES ITS MARK IN ISTANBUL

Carmen

January 24, 2026

FROM MADRID TO ASIA. ATLÉTICO LEAVES ITS MARK IN ISTANBUL

A lightning trip to Turkey with the best excuse ever: watching Atlético play Galatasaray live. The first away trip of 2026 – and starting off strong. Cold, really cold, the kind that makes you question your life choices… though it was much easier surrounded by so many fellow Atléticos, especially the supporters’ group from Germany, who almost made it feel like a home game. We stayed in Galata, in a very charming Airbnb community – one of those places that makes you feel half local, even if you can’t pronounce “merhaba.”

Already on Tuesday, you could feel something brewing: jerseys, scarves, and familiar red-and-white faces spread across the city, like a silent advance guard. But it was on Wednesday that Istanbul definitively changed color and boldly turned red and white. In Galata, in the center, in bars, on the streets… Atlético was everywhere and made its presence felt. And, of course, the city’s street cats were always around, weaving between tables, stalls, and tourists like true local emperors.

Beyond football, there was time to soak in Istanbul as it deserves. A stroll through the Grand Bazaar, getting lost among impossible stalls and constant temptations, the mandatory visit to Hagia Sophia, which impresses just as much in person as in photos, and a strategic stop on the bridge to watch the fishermen, calmly going about their business while the world passes behind them from continent to continent. Postcards everywhere you looked.

The gastronomic side had a name of its own: our beloved Shuyao, our food guide around the city, who led us from one culinary success to the next and proved that in Istanbul, you can eat as well as you walk. In fact, she even learned her first words in German: “Ist dieser Kebab besser als in Deutschland?” – wanting to experience German tastes firsthand. The food was simply amazing: top-level, generous portions, and always the feeling that there was something even better just around the corner.

The pre-match preparations were also surprisingly well organized. The (theoretical) lack of alcohol wasn’t missed at all, because the atmosphere was perfect: lively, friendly, and very Atlético. Laughter, chats, scarves around our necks, and that shared feeling that makes everything flow naturally. The seemingly endless but well-organized bus queue to the stadium confirmed that both the journey there and back were controlled and smooth – something truly appreciated when so many fans travel together.

Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was disappointing: lots of whistling, zero animation, no tifos, no flares, nothing resembling a true crowd atmosphere. It seems the Turks understand “cheering” only as whistling at the opposing team whenever they touch the ball. That’s not atmosphere; that’s almost hostility. Among ourselves, however, the vibe was spectacular: constant good energy and the feeling of being part of something big. We were almost 900 traveling Atlético fans. The result – a 1-1 with an own goal by Llorente – spoiled the party a little; one of those draws that feels odd… though, to be honest, it could have been worse.

Not everything was perfect. The security checks before entering were somewhat over the top: one woman was forced to remove her shoes, and the Peña from Torrejón nearly didn’t get in simply because of the name on their banner. Also, it was very tricky to get our mascot Hooliana inside, but in the end reason prevailed and, as always, she was present, because nothing is the same without her. I wish our number 19 had the same presence in matches as Hooliana, who always makes herself noticed. Tense and unnecessary moments that slightly marred an otherwise fantastic experience.

And yet, neither the cold, nor the travel costs, nor the fatigue can stop us. Our excitement is as strong as ever. We’re already looking forward to qualifying again, packing our bags, and discovering where Atlético will take us next. Because one thing became clear in Istanbul: no matter what happens – we go. Always.

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