TheNewsGuru

Tag: Atletico Madrid

  • UCL: How we’ll stop Luis Suarez – Chelsea captain

    UCL: How we’ll stop Luis Suarez – Chelsea captain

    Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has a plan to stop high flying Luis Suarez in the Champions League round of 16 first leg clash on Tuesday.

    They will be hoping to secure an advantage for the second leg, but Azpi will be all too aware of the threat Atletico and Suarez pose.

    “The best way to defend against him is to keep him as far as possible from the goal and that’s a collective job,” Azpilicueta told reporters.

    “I faced him when he was at Liverpool and Barcelona in the Champions League so I know he’s a great striker.

    “We know his numbers and we know wherever he has played, he has scored lots of goals so we have to try to defend against him together and keep all their attacking players away from our goal.”

  • Atletico strike, Dembele tests positive for COVID-19

    Atletico strike, Dembele tests positive for COVID-19

    Atletico Madrid’s new signing Moussa Dembele has tested positive for Covid-19, the club announced on Thursday.

    The squad underwent testing on Wednesday, from which “Moussa Dembele had a positive result for Covid-19 in the PCR test,” Atletico said in a statement.

    “The striker remains isolated at his home, strictly complying with the recommendations of the health authorities and La Liga protocol,” the club added.

    Dembele, 24, joined Atletico on loan in January from Lyon until the end of the season but the French striker is yet to make an appearance for the La Liga leaders.

  • Suarez double snatches win for La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid at Eibar

    Suarez double snatches win for La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid at Eibar

    Luis Suarez’s double, including a late penalty kick, helped Atletico Madrid to snatch a 2-1 win at Eibar on Thursday.

    Eibar took the lead through Serbian goalkeeper Marco Dmitrovic who slammed home a 12th minute penalty kick for what was, unsurprisingly, his first goal for the club.

    It was also the first time a goalkeeper had scored in the division since Deportivo La Coruna’s Dani Aranzubia in 2011.

    However, Uruguayan striker Suarez netted in the 40th minute to level for Diego Simeone’s league leaders.

    They are now seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, having played one less game.

    Dmitrovic pulled off a brilliant save at the other end to deny Joao Felix but he could not stop Suarez scoring the winner after a foul by Anaitz Arbilla.

    The former FC Barcelona striker netted his 11th goal of the season from the penalty kick spot to win it for the capital club.

    The goal took him level with former teammate Lionel Messi as the division’s top scorer.

    Atletico Madrid signed Suarez cheaply from FC Barcelona in the summer with the Catalans keen to clear the 33-year-old’s salary off their wage bill.

    But now he is leading the Rojiblancos in the direction of their first league title since 2014.

    “He’s an extraordinary player and we are very happy that we have him with us,” said Simeone.

    “He was active throughout. He found the goal after a loss of the ball and later for the penalty kick he generated it, made it, looked for it and finished it decisively.”

    Earlier Valencia, 14th, drew 1-1 with Osasuna, who are 19th and two points from safety.

    Jonathan Calleri sent the visitors ahead at Mestalla but Unai Garcia’s second half own-goal levelled the score, with the defender deflecting Yunus Musah’s cross-shot into his own net.

  • Simeone named Coach of the Decade ahead of Mourinho, Guardiola

    Simeone named Coach of the Decade ahead of Mourinho, Guardiola

    Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has seen off competition from the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho to be declared Coach of the Decade.

    The fiery Argentine has this week had the honour bestowed on him by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), after the numbers had been crunched on his last 10 years in the Spanish capital.

    Simeone has come out on top against the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho and his main rival Zinedine Zidane, despite having just one league title to show for his time at Atletico so far.

    In a statement the IFFHS noted: ‘Simeone realised a great performance with his club Atletico Madrid in this decade: 1 LaLiga title, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Super Copa Espana, 2 UEFA Europa League titles, 2 UEFA Super Cup titles and 2 times Runner-Up in UEFA Champions League Finals.

    ‘His regularity and his power made the difference to win the Award of the Decade 2011-2020.’

     

  • Arsenal directors angry with Atletico Madrid over Torreira

    Arsenal directors angry with Atletico Madrid over Torreira

    Arsenal directors are angry with Atletico Madrid’s treatment of Lucas Torreira.

    Torreira joined Atletico on a season long loan deal in October after being cast into the shadows under Mikel Arteta following a serious ankle injury.

    Having started just two games for Diego Simeone’s side this season, Arsenal chiefs believe Atletico are trying to devalue Torreira’s price tag, says the Libertad Digital.

    Arsenal were under the impression that Torreira would play a major role for Atletico this season.

    However, the Uruguay international has started just two league games and featured a total of six times this season.

    Four of those appearances came in the Champions League, but Torreira was forced to start each game on the bench.

    Arsenal are ‘furious’ about the situation as they believe Atletico are trying to devalue Torreira’s price tag.

  • Wolves warned of Diego Costa risk

    Wolves warned of Diego Costa risk

    Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has warned Wolves over a move for free agent Diego Costa.

    Released from his Atletico Madrid contract, Costa could now be set to resurrect his career at Wolves, who boast a number of players represented by his agent Jorge Mendes.

    But former Chelsea striker Cascarino believes there are plenty of warning signs with a deal for Costa, warning Wolves they could live to regret their decision.

    Cascarino told TalkSport: “I think it’s a very dangerous fit, if I’m honest. Because of the experience he had at Chelsea and the way he wanted to leave the club, the way he disappeared.

    “Obviously it then turned sour at Atletico and he became a real problem, he played relatively little football this year, he’s only played seven games and got a couple of goals.

    “I don’t know if I could trust him, or trust what he’s going to be like if he came to the football club.

    “If I was getting the Diego Costa who turned up at Chelsea, followed Didier [Drogba], was a real handful – great! The fans loved him at Chelsea, you’d hear his name all around the stadium, he was their favourite player.

    “But the way he handled it, I would be very suspicious of a 32-year-old whose contract has been ripped up.

    “You could argue that Eric Cantona left Leeds United in a very sour way, and Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson got an unbelievable player who played his best football… but I’m not sure Diego Costa has that same mentality.

    “It’s the kind of high risk move that if it comes off you’re a genius, but if it falls flat you’re an idiot for taking him. Nuno would have to handle a very difficult player.

    “If Diego Simone felt Costa still could have done a job for Atletico Madrid, he would have been desperate to keep him.

    “But Atletico are still in the Champions League and they have a chance to win the LaLiga title, Costa wants to rip up his contract and the club has agreed. That rings alarm bells, for me.”

  • Atletico Madrid terminate Diego Costa’s contract

    Atletico Madrid terminate Diego Costa’s contract

    Atletico Madrid have confirmed the termination of Diego Costa’s contract.

    Goal reported at the start of the week that Costa had informed Atletico officials of his desire to leave the club six months before the expiration of his contract.

    The 32-year-old cited personal reasons for wanting to leave Wanda Metropolitano after being excused from training, having also made it clear that he had no intention of signing an extension.

    The current Liga leaders have granted the forward’s wish ahead of the January transfer window, with the 32-year-old now officially a free agent.

    “Atletico de Madrid and Diego Costa have reached an agreement for the termination of the striker’s contract, which was to end on June 30, 2021,” a statement on Atletico’s official website reads.

    “The striker asked to leave the club for personal reasons a few days ago and on Tuesday signed the termination of his contract. The club thanks Diego Costa for his dedication during these years and wishes him well in the next stage of his professional career.”

  • Atletico Madrid stay top of La Liga with Suarez double

    Atletico Madrid stay top of La Liga with Suarez double

    Atletico Madrid went three points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga table with two games in hand following victory over Elche.

    Ex-Liverpool and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez slotted in England international Kieran Trippier’s cross in the 41st minute to put Atletico ahead.

    Yannick Carrasco then set up Suarez for his second after the break, shortly before Lucas Boyle scored for Elche.

    Substitute Diego Costa scored a penalty late on to make it 3-1 to Atletico.

    Atletico had several chances in the first half – midfielder Marcos Llorente coming close following an excellent pass from Joao Felix.

    Victory takes Atletico three points ahead of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, while Barcelona, who play Valencia at home later on Saturday, trail by nine points.

    Suarez, making his 200th La Liga appearance, has now scored seven goals in nine league appearances for Atletico this season.

  • Atletico Madrid sign midfielder Kondogbia from Valencia

    Atletico Madrid sign midfielder Kondogbia from Valencia

    Atletico Madrid have signed French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia for an undisclosed fee, both La Liga clubs said on Tuesday.

    The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Atletico and replaces Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal just before the transfer window closed.

    Arsenal had activated his 50-million-euro ($58.52 million) release clause.

    La Liga rules allow clubs who have lost a player after their release clause was triggered to sign another player within a month provided they play in Spain or are out of contract.

    “Atletico Madrid and Valencia CF have reached an agreement over the transfer of Geoffrey Kondogbia,” Atletico said in a statement.

    “The box-to-box footballer is a strong presence in midfield and contributes defensively and offensively,” the statement said.

    Kondogbia began his career with French Side Lens before moving to Sevilla and had an ugly confrontation with Atletico striker Diego Costa in a 2013 Copa del Rey tie.

    He later moved to AS Monaco and Inter Milan, joining Valencia on loan in 2017 before completing a permanent move the following year.

  • 2am call sparked Arsenal deadline move for Partey

    2am call sparked Arsenal deadline move for Partey

    Arsenal’s deadline day swoop for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey was sparked by a 2am call on Sunday morning.

    Marca reports The Gunners were heavily linked with Partey all summer but went for broke in the very early hours of deadline day.

    Partey knew Arsenal were interested in him, but went to bed on Sunday night fully expecting to be an Atletico Madrid player this season.

    The Gunners, though, had other ideas, and decided this would be the right time to get the ball in motion and phoned the Ghanaian’s representatives at 2am, prompting ‘everything to change’.

    Partey allegedly learned of Arsenal’s intentions on Monday morning, with Marcareporting that the midfielder and agent ‘could not have imagined’ that he had already played his final game for the La Liga club.

    The midfielder is then said to have been ‘put on the spot’ and made to make a decision before Arsenal later triggered his £52.5million release clause.

    All in all the Gunners splashed out £110m on Partey, agreeing to pay him £260,000-a-week for four years and handing him a £2.5m signing-on fee.

    Partey’s agent also made 10 per cent commission from the deal.