Tag Archives: Messi

Can Atletico sneak under the radar?

on November 12, 2019 None comments

After Real Madrid’s spending spree in the summer and Barcelona’s dominance last campaign, Atletico Madrid have barely had a mention as potential title contenders this time around.

Having lost just once in the first 12 La Liga matches, Diego Simeone has once again built a side which are very hard to break down. However, his team are guilty of one too many draws which could end up costing them dearly, having drawn half of their league matches to date.

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico’s lack of goals is an area in which Simeone’s side is struggling this season, having only scored twelve in twelve games. With the likes of Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa and Joao Felix among their ranks, Atletico will need at least two of them to score 10+ goals if they are to knock Barcelona off their perch. Having said that, their defence has been superb, only conceding seven in the league. Jan Oblak is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and Atletico will always have a chance with him between the sticks.

Despite the three attackers named above, it is evident to see the loss of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona in the summer was a huge loss, having contributed 15 league goals for Atletico last campaign. However, Griezmann hasn’t had quite the same impact at Camp Nou this season, with certain fans believing Lionel Messi is purposely avoiding passing to his new teammate.

La Liga betting shows Atletico Madrid are complete outsiders to win the title at 18/1, despite being on the heels of both Barcelona and arch-rivals Real. Barcelona remain heavy favourites at 1/2, while Zinedine Zidane’s side are 2/1 after a fairly promising start, especially after integrating plenty of new signings. Simeone’s side are also priced at 25/1 to win the Champions League, so it’s safe to say the bookmakers aren’t confident in Atletico winning a trophy in 2020.

It is worth noting, however, that Barcelona have lost three games already this season, having only lost the same amount in the entire of the previous season when they ran away with the title, nine points clear of Atletico. Barcelona were desperate to bring back Neymar this summer, but the deal never materialised and, at present, it is looking more and more likely this missed opportunity could cost them their title.

Despite the odds, Atletico hold every chance of challenging both Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, if they are unable to improve their finishing ability, it could prove costly. But with Morata and Diego Costa within their ranks, both are proven goalscorers around the world and if either can burst into life, there is every chance Atletico can continue to go about their business and continue to sneak under the radar.

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Barcelona shows his hand, again!

on October 30, 2011 None comments

As usual Barcelona score goals, and even often, fails to score 5 goals in a game. This time the victim was Mallorca who has no chance in Camp Nou, where Messi and the company have made ​​the game as they wanted.

Although it managed a win, Barcelona continues to be behind rival Real Madrid, the difference by one point remains in this stage, because Real Madrid managed to its turn to win.

Barcelona won this victory helped especially by possession of the ball, managed to record an overwhelming 68% possession, the score is therefore a natural consequence of this feature.

Players who have scored, as usual L. Messi (13, 21, 30), Cuenca (50) and Dani Alves (90 +1).

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Lessons by Barcelona

on September 25, 2011 None comments

Barcelona is making a new dream match. They had the perfect reply for Real Madrid’s 6-2 with Rayo Vallecano. With the help of Messi and company, they gave a football lesson against Atletico Madrid, putting the ball in the net 5 times.

The scoreboard is opened by David Villa in the 11th minute, followed shortly by Miranda’s own goal in the 15th. From there, Messi took the strings and managed to score a hattrick in the 28th, 78th and 90, putting an end to Atletico’s suffering.

Pep Guardiola said: “We are not unbeatable…….any team can beat us, but if we do things right the fans who come to watch us will have a good time, which is the most important thing. We played very well, it was a lesson in concentration, but from tomorrow on we have to do it again. Let’s see if we’re able maintain this level. It’s this year’s challenge“

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Abidal, Xavi, Thiago, Cesc, Busquets, Pedro, Messi, Villa.

Atletico: Courtois, Perea, Godin, Miranda, Antonio Lopez, Mario, Thiago, Gabi, Reyes, Diego, Falcao.

With this victory, they stand second on the table and their next game in Primera Division is against Sporting Gijón and in Champions League on Wednesday against BATE Borisov.

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Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

on September 4, 2011 None comments

At the moment of speaking, the football is build around two players: Messi from Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. The rivalry between those two was present in any challenge, from the best player to the best scorer. But time have changed and one of them admits that the other one is better.

“Messi has his personality, I have my personality. He has a certain style of play, I have another.  I play for a big club, he does it too. We are different in too many ways. At this point, he is the best.” said Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the battle is not over yet. Real Madrid is prepared for a year that would bring them all the trophies, at least that’s what they hope.

Ronaldo continued: “Real Madrid is the best club in the world and because of that there is a lot of envy! However, I feel that this will be a big year for all of us. There is no point in talkingabout what happened last year in the Champions League semifinals. We were removed unjustly, but we must live with it.”

This battle can only be a joyful moment, because in this way we know that we’ll have a quality football for obtaining the supreme title for a player: best player of the year!

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Barcelona shows how the ball is played

on August 30, 2011 None comments

It looks like Mondays are not the best days to play against Barcelona. Well, probably not the Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, but that is another story. Real Madrid was beaten in a Monday also on the 29 of November last year and with a score from a fairy tale, 5-0 for Guardiola & Co.

Last night, Barcelona gave a reply for Real who have had an incredible start against Zaragoza. The Catalans won a sensational victory after defeating by a score of 5-0 to Villarreal. The goals were scored by Thiago 25, Fabregas 45, Sanchez 47 and Messi 51, 74.

In this way, Primera Division shows why is one of the most disputed championships in the world with two titans who are willing “to fight to the death”.

Line-up:

Barcelona: Valdés, Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, Abidal, Keita, Thiago, Iniesta (Xavi, min.56), Cesc (Dos Santos, min.70), Alexis, Pedro (Villa, min.67), Messi.

Villarreal:

Diego López; Zapata, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Oriol, Marchena, Bruno, Borja Valero (Camuñas, min.50), Cani (Wakaso, min.64), Nilmar (Senna, min.61), Rossi.

The games from this weekend are the ones scheduled on the second leg, the first leg being postponed after a footballers strike.

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