When we consider an Atletico Madrid team, playing at their best, we only have to look at the workmen-like team spirit, employed by their bullish manager Diego Simeone. Tough, physical and robust describe their players, roared on by a packed Vicente Calderon stadium. To be worthy of a place in the champions line-up you must prove yourself as fighter, someone willing to put their head in where it hurts most, a quality in which strikers Falcao, and Diego Costa have shown in recent times. … [Read more...]
Atletico vs Almeria preview
Atletico Madrid will go into Saturday’s game with Almeria knowing anything less than a win may all but end their slim title ambitions. Diego Simeone’s side were unable to replicate the performance that earned them a 4-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid earlier in the month, slipping to a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last week and moving seven points behind the leaders. Despite that setback,defender Jesus Gamez believes the champions are in a good position to retain their title: … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo preview
Atletico Madrid will be looking to continue their brilliant run of form as they prepare for a trip to Celta Vigo. Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten in La Liga in 2015 and will go into Sunday’s match on the back of their biggest win over Real Madrid since 1947. … [Read more...]
Kings of the Capital?
Felipe VI may occupy the throne in Madrid, but who are the sporting kings of Spain? Fittingly, it has been neighbours in Spain’s royal city offering arguments with the greater weight in recent times. Following a period of Catalan dominance, with Barcelona’s tiki-taka approach masterminded by Pep Guardiola and perfected by Lionel Messi et al, bragging rights have been dragged back to the capital. … [Read more...]
Simeone for City job?
After Atletico’s emphatic win against bitter league rivals Real, closing the gap between 3rd and 1st to just 4 points, attention has been drawn to the man behind the success, Diego Simeone. … [Read more...]
Mario Mandzukic leads our La Liga team of the week
I believe only a very few will argue if we go ahead and name Atletico Madrid the outright team of the round after they pulled off the biggest result (both in scoreline and importance) of the round of matches. But we won’t. Once again this week, there’s a mixture of players from different club sides, including the champions, Barcelona, and Valencia. … [Read more...]
Has Torres been reborn?
Every self-respecting football fan is well aware of Fernando Torres' sad decline over the last four years. He went from being a Euro 2008 winning player. And match-winner in that final, to a misfiring shell of his former self. While, I believe we saw a slight resurgence of Torres under Rafa's brief stewardship, it was nothing to get too excited about. More importantly, he'd show signs of class but that'd quickly disappear. However since returning 'home' to the Vincente Calderon, a new wave of optimism has been borne. His two goals against Real Madrid have largely contributed to this. In his … [Read more...]
La Liga Title Race: Mid-Season Check-in
With half of the La Liga season completed, the table is shaping up to look exactly what everyone thought it would. Currently Real Madrid (with a game in hand) sits atop of the table, one point ahead of their rivals Barcelona and 4 points ahead of last year’s winners, Atletico Madrid. All three teams are still alive in the Champions League and after next week’s Copa Del Rey matchup between Barca and Atletico, only one team will remain in that competition. Therefore, with 19 more games to be played (20 for Real Madrid) all three teams are more or less on even ground and can control their own … [Read more...]
Have Atletico Madrid replaced Diego Costa?
Some may argue that the 17 May 2014 was the finest day in Atletico Madrid’s history. Los Rojiblancos secured the draw away at Barcelona which gave them their first La Liga title for 20 years. A week later they had the chance to create more history when they faced city rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final. … [Read more...]
Reaction to the Champions League Draw for Spanish Sides
The top three in Spain are all in left in Europe’s elite competition, and today at 11am (GMT), they found out who their opponents would be for the round of 16 stage in the competition. After all 3 teams finished top of their group, the available teams they could face where Manchester City, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, Porto, Shalke 04, Juventus or Shakthar Donetsk. The first Spanish team to come out of the draw where 4 time winners Barcelona, who face Manchester city in the last 16. This will be a difficult task for Barca, who haven’t got the greatest of defensive records this season, … [Read more...]