Atletico created the chances but failed to capitalise on their superiority, as they take a 1-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey. Diego Simeone rested players in this first leg encounter, but his side were still hot favourites to take a convincing lead over Athletic. Despite a strong opening from Atletico, it was Athletic who should have taken the lead after ten minutes. Herrera sliced wide with the goal invitingly before him. It was a miss that would prove costly. Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was the man of the match, producing fine saves throughout the game. Two particularly … [Read more...]
Falcao, Oligarchs and Super-agents….
So it looks like the world’s most heralded ‘Number 9’ is on his way to the billionaire’s playground that is the Principality of Monaco. Falcao seemingly would have had countless options but it is one of Europe’s new uber-rich clubs that have snared him, going against the grain of the historic superpowers of European football. Do the world’s footballing elite have a lot more options than they once did? Do WAG’s prefer the Carré d’Or to The Trafford Centre? Or does Jorge Mendes literally run the whole of world football?............ … [Read more...]
Falcao’s price tag just keeps rising
Ex-Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neil must still have nightmares about that one fateful day in the January 2009 transfer window where he rejected a £7m offer of Club Atletico Riverplate's plucky young striker Radamel Falcao and opted to sign Emile Heskey instead. Many Villa fans will be wondering what could have been should the Colombian striker have signed for the midlands club that season and the likelihood is it would have been the best signing in their recent history judging by the striker's devastating form in front of goal this year. … [Read more...]
Arsene Wenger targets Atletico’s Adrian Lopez in January transfer window as Falcao trail goes cold
With Arsenal currently off the pace in pursuit of another Champion's League spot this season, Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger plans to have another foray into the La Liga transfer market this January in a bid to turn his side's fortunes around. Whilst Colombian star-striker Ramadel Falcao is hot property in European football at the moment, the Frenchman has his Atletico Madrid team-mate Adrian Lopez at the top of his wanted list Talksport can report. Following the shrewd acquisition of pint-sized midfielder Santi Cazorla in the summer who has already become a hit over at the Emirates this season, … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid – a club destined for success
Many say that there are only 2 teams in a very one-sided La Liga division; Barcelona and Real Madrid. But I implore you to take a good long look at the rest of the teams that occupy Spain's top division. Valencia for example, who won their last league title in 2003/04. Málaga, who are showing what a good club they are and finally Atlético Madrid, the team I will be analysing today. … [Read more...]
My Top 5 Ballon d’Or Nominees
As we get closer to finding out who the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or will be, I have narrowed my list down to 5 people, from the 23 man shortlist. … [Read more...]
Falcao – will El Tigre leave?
As speculation continues and nearly all of Europe has picked up on it, we can now see that Radamel Falcao's move to the Premier League is a high possibility. Since the Super Cup against Chelsea where Falcao nabbed a hat-trick, there have been a few clubs that have announced interest. The most likely suitors are Manchester City and Chelsea. Who wouldn't want Falcao? … [Read more...]
Chelsea among favourites to land Falcao signature in January transfer window
There are no two ways about it, Atletico Madrid are on a roll in La Liga right now. With 19 points from their first seven games they sit level with league leaders Barcelona in La Primera Division and their win against fellow high flyers Malaga at the weekend proved to everyone that Diego Simeone's side will be a force to be reckoned with this season. … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Season Preview
Monaco is the venue where two managers who were given similar tasks last year will meet to discuss how they fared. Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo managed to steer his beloved club to a maiden Champions League victory against all odds in Munich last May whilst concurrently Diego Simeone guided Atletico Madrid to an emphatic Europa League final win in Bucharest and both will be vying to win the European Super Cup on August 24th. Simeone had only been in charge since the winter break ended in late January but revitalised the club and leads them into … [Read more...]
La Liga weekend previews and predictions
The La Liga season will finally get under way this weekend after an agreement was reached between the Spanish football league and the players’ union over unpaid wages which saw the original planned start to the La Liga season delayed. With plenty of highly-anticipated matches to get our teeth into including an Andalucian derby between Seville and Malaga, here's our previews and predictions to the weekend's matches. … [Read more...]