Atletico Madrid's 2022/2023 home kit is reportedly the 'worst selling' in history and it's down to two recent changes.
The La Liga giants launched their new shirt earlier this summer and in a dramatic change of pace, they've adopted curved red and white lines instead of straight.
According to a report from Spanish outlet Confidencial Digital, it hasn't gone down well with fans who prefer the more traditional design.
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Club sources even claim sales have 'fallen by 40 per cent compared to last year's figures' and they've admitted 'you could see it coming' after reaction on social media.
There is no official metric provided, but it's said demand for the shirt is way down and Atletico are already planning on returning to their classic stripes in 23/24.
Another reason could be the club's subtle crest design change in 2016.
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The old crest had a yellow outline and stood out on the red and white shirts, but the new one looks cleaner.
It's seen demand in all stock on the Atletico website drop in recent years.
However, a special 75th anniversary kit with the old logo launched recently and sold out quickly.
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Diego Simeone's side finished third last season and he's gone about getting his players match fit in typical fashion.
During pre-season, Atletico trained in the Los Angeles de San Rafael mountains towards Segovia and special apparatus titled 'murder hill' was put together by fitness coach Oscar Ortega.
Nicknamed 'El Profe', Ortega had a special ramp area built behind the training pitch to put the squad to the test.
Atleti players are required to sprint up the 50 metre, 30 per cent slope as the scorching hot sun beams down on them. It looks like absolute death and it all starts to make sense when you read up on Ortega.
Ortega is known as a 'sadist' and someone who enjoys pushing his players until they are vomiting and collapsing. Bear in mind this man is now in his 60s.
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Atletico are unbeaten in pre-season having beaten Numancia 4-0 and Manchester United 1-0 out in Olso.
They have one more game remaining, against Serie A outfit Juventus on August 7 before opening their La Liga campaign against Getafe on August 15.
Topics: Atletico Madrid, La Liga
Daniel Marland