La Liga's title race is going to the wire, as all three contenders claimed important victories yesterday. In recent weeks they seemed to have been taking it in turns to drop points, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to predict who will claim the crown. The Barcelona derby opened proceedings. Espanyol kept the match tight against their local rivals despite tipping site Gamblingsites.net who write about the importance of gambling safely, predicting a Barca rout. It looked as if Tata Martino's points were in danger of dropping more points, until the wizard came to their rescue again. … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Get A Slap On The Wrist
Atletico Madrid were today handed a €600 fine after Cristiano Ronaldo was struck on the head by a cigarette lighter as he walked off the Vicente Calderon pitch on Tuesday. The incident happened as the teams walked off at half time in their Copa Del Rey semi-final. It was a tempestuous atmosphere. Atletico were being humbled by their biggest rivals, and the always lively Atleti crowd were in no mood to contain their anger. Ronaldo, as always, was the target of the fans abuse. This time, it went much too far. RFEF explained the paltry nature of the fine by saying that it had been an isolated … [Read more...]
An Emotional Night As Atletico Go Top
Atletico Madrid stormed to the top of La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Sunday. It was a night their former manager and player Luis Aragones would have been proud of. The scoreline is a little flattering, Sociedad are an in-form side and more than held their own in the first half. A David Villa goal, from a Diego Costa cross, on 38 minutes was all that separated the teams. Simeone's team were much better after the break. It was Costa himself who scored the second on 72 minutes. The naturalised Spaniard is finding his goal scoring touch again after a mini drought. Miranda headed … [Read more...]
Luis Aragones, 1938-2014
Spain, and the world of football, is today mourning the loss of the legendary Spanish coach Luis Aragones. Aragones died in Madrid this morning, at the age of 75. He had suffered a short illness, and his passing took many by surprise. His loss will be particularly felt by fans and former players of Atletico Madrid. He managed Atleti on four occasions, winning them the La Liga title and lifting the Copa Del Rey three times. Atletico will be holding an emotional minute's silence before their game against Real Sociedad on Sunday. As a player, Aragones made nearly 400 appearances for Atletico. A … [Read more...]
Saul Own Goal As Liverpool Look On
Liverpool representatives were in Vallecano last night, but transfer target Saul Niguez scored an own goal as Rayo Vallecano lost 4-2 at home to Atletico Madrid. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Atleti, after two La Liga draws in a row. The win put them level on points with Barcelona at the top, one point above a resurgent Real Madrid. The three way battle should continue until the last round of the season. Atletico were full of attacking intent from the start. Turkish international Arda, having a fine season on the opposite flank to Koke, was menacing Vallecano at every … [Read more...]
Liverpool Pull Off Saul Niguez Coup
Liverpool have landed a major transfer coup by pulling off the capture of the hottest prospect in Spanish football – Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez. Niguez, currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano, had been tipped to join David Moyes' Manchester revolution, but there was also known interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid. The news from Merseyside is that Brendan Rogers has beaten them all to the 19 year old's signature. The Spanish Under-21 international has been a revelation at Vallecano this season. With a maturity beyond his years, he has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and has been the … [Read more...]
Kagawa To Leave Manchester For Madrid
Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa will soon be on his way to Atletico Madrid as a knock on effect of the Juan Mata transfer. Atletico manager Diego Simeone had been in the hunt for Mata himself, but has conceded that Manchester United have won the transfer battle. The Spaniard's arrival at Old Trafford will limit opportunities even more for Kagawa and a move to Madrid will be ideal for all parties. Kagawa came to Old Trafford with a fabulous reputation from Borussia Dortmund, but he has endured a very stop-start two years in Manchester. In March 2013 he scored a hat-trick against Norwich City … [Read more...]
Mata Move To Manchester May Be Off – Atletico Await
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata's move from Chelsea to Manchester United could be scuppered in the unlikeliest of ways – by Manchester United manager David Moyes. Talks are at an advanced stage between Mata and Manchester United advisors. His relationship with Jose Mourinho has broken down, and Mata doesn't feel that he will get the chances that he deserves at Stamford Bridge this season. There is fierce competition for a place in the Spain midfield at this summer's World Cup, and Mata knows that he needs to grab as much game time as possible before then with him currently at 6/4 to make the … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla
Atletico Madrid missed a glorious chance to go clear at the top of La Liga. Having earlier watched Barcelona fail to beat Levante, Diego Simeone's side achieved the exact same result at home to Sevilla. A 1-1 draw that keeps them behind Barca on goal difference. The Vicente Calderon stadium should be renamed the Vicente Cauldron this season as the fans have been ramping up the atmosphere and the decibels. The party spirit before kick off yesterday was frenzied, this was their chance to go top and they would snatch it with both hands. What could go wrong. Sevilla had other ideas, they hadn't … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona
It was stalemate at the Vicente Calderon last night as co-leaders Atletico and Barcelona fought out a nil-nil draw in front of a vociferous crowd. Some nil nil draws can be boring fare but this had excitement and flair, it was like a game of chess being played out by grandmasters Diego Simeone and Tata Martino. Barcelona boss Martino surprised many pundits, myself included, by leaving both Neymar and the back from injury Messi on the bench. This news seemed to galvanise Atletico and it was they who took the game to Barca in the early stages. Atleti's Turkish winger Arda was pulling the … [Read more...]