Tag Archives: Atletico Madrid

Will Barcelona breeze to another title?

on August 12, 2019 None comments

All summer, the focus has very much been on Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane hasn’t been afraid to throw Real’s money about, as he looks to re-energise a side who failed to land a blow last campaign. The obvious starting point is the addition of Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who will no doubt be their star player next season.

Real Madrid have strengthened in every area, but it was obvious they needed to. After finishing 19 points off Barcelona and eight points off Atletico Madrid, it is fair to say Real Madrid were embarrassed several times last season.

But with all the focus on Real Madrid, are people forgetting Barcelona’s dominance in domestic football? They may have been dumped out of the Champions League with their tail between their leagues for a second year in a row, after being smashed by Liverpool at Anfield, but they have dominated La Liga for years. La Liga betting shows Barcelona are the favourites to retain their title, with Real Madrid second favourites at 13-8. Despite finishing second, Atletico Madrid are third favourites at 12-1 with Bet365.

Atletico Madrid have lost a large chunk of their defence, with Diego Godin heading to Inter Milan, Lucas Hernandez moving to Bayern Munich, Juanfran joining Sao Paolo and Filipe Luis returning to Brazil to see out his final few years before he retires. Joao Felix has been brought in for a record fee of 126 million euros from Benfica, with a lot of expectation to deliver this season. However, he is just the poster boy of what has been a large rebuild for Atleti over the summer.

Last year, Barcelona secured their eighth title in 11 seasons, and with ease. Not only did they win La Liga in style, but they have brought in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who has been Atletico’s star man for several years. Griezmann is one of the most talented attackers in world football, so his arrival adds to an already potent forward line. The additions of Frenkie de Jong and Junior Firpo strengthen two key areas of the squad, while Neto ensures they have depth in the goalkeeping position, and they have been able to move on a number of players who were surplus to requirements.

Barcelona’s star player, Lionel Messi, took to the pitch after their 2-1 pre-season friendly against Arsenal to address the Camp Nou crowd. The Argentine told the sell-out crowd that Barcelona’s success in the domestic league was not to be sniffed at, despite failing to win the Champions League the past two seasons.

Barcelona will probably prefer the attention to be away from them after their disappointing defeat to Liverpool. But they have nothing to prove on home soil and are likely to once again show why they are the best team in Spain come May next year. It will take an awful lot to prevent Messi and co. from securing their ninth title in twelve seasons, that is for sure.

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Inter got Forlan

on August 27, 2011 None comments

Sun is shining on Inter’s street. Atletico Madrid coach, Gregorio Manzano, said Saturday in a press conference that the Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan will sign with Inter Milan in the next few hours.

“Forlan is negotiating the transfer with Inter and was not included in the squad for the match against Osasuna Pamplona, on ​​Sunday in the Spanish championship, because we expect the following hours to be announced at Inter Milan” said Manzano in a press conference.

The Uruguayan player trained on Friday and Saturday with his teammates at Atletico, but asked not to travel to Portugal for the game with Vitoria Guimaraes on August 25, in the League of Europe play-off, which Atletico won with a smashing score of 4-0.

Diego Forlan, a player in his 32, was chosen best player of the World Cup in 2010, when Uruguay had reached the semifinals. He plays for Atletico Madrid since 2007.

Inter Milan is starting on Sunday 28th of August the first game of this season against Lecce. With Forlan on their side, they will be a team hard to beat.

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Real Madrid, 5th in a row!

on March 21, 2011 None comments

“El Derbi madrileño “ has a history of 82 years with Real Madrid leading the hostilities. Los Blancos have won 80 times and drew 31 times, losing 35 games. Atletico was not on before Real’s 11 years, and in the last 20 years has won only 3 times.

Real Madrid managed to obtain the fifth victory in a row, a victory well earned after a good game in the Spanish capital derby with Atletico 2-1.

Karim Benzema opened turned on the scoring board for Real Madrid in 11 minutes, the advantage being doubled 33 minutes with help from Mesut Ozil with a shot under the bar.

Aguero has reduced the difference to the final four minutes, but it was too less and too late to change anything in the game.

Jose Mourinho‘s team remains five points behind Barcelona after the Catalans have won the match with Getafe(2-1), keeping the bar high for competition.

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