Madrid, Spain | AFP | Liverpool were the victims of an old-fashioned Atletico Madrid masterclass on Tuesday as Diego Simeone’s side ground out a 1-0 win in Madrid to give themselves hope of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. Saul Niguez raised the roof at a bouncing Wanda Metropolitano by scoring in …
Read More »Kindergarten Klopp says Simeone’s Atleti still a threat to rampant Reds
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Jurgen Klopp said on Monday he feels like “Kindergarten Cop” in comparison to the raging Diego Simeone but it will be Liverpool looking to make it a case of men against boys when they face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. “People say I am emotional …
Read More »Stuttering Atletico seek old habits to upset Liverpool and the odds
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Atletico Madrid might once have relished the challenge of resisting an opponent like Liverpool, but reaching the Champions League’s quarter-finals will require a performance not yet seen from them this season. Diego Simeone’s side are no longer the same Atletico famed for their inch-perfect defence, relentless …
Read More »Five talking points in European football this weekend
Paris, France | AFP | Several countries may be in the midst of their winter breaks, but the football goes on elsewhere, with Spain’s biggest clubs having an eventful few days in Saudi Arabia while the race for the title continues in Serie A and Ligue 1. AFP Sport looks back …
Read More »Dybala stunner seals top-spot for Juventus with Atletico made to wait
Turin, Italy | AFP | Paulo Dybala’s stunning curling free-kick rubber-stamped top spot in Champions League Group D for Juventus on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in Turin. The Italian champions had already booked their place for the last 16 with two games to spare but made sure of top spot with …
Read More »Recoveries at stake as Real Madrid face Atletico in La Liga derby
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have each averted a mini-crisis already this season and one of the rewards for the winner of the derby on Saturday would be to stall their rival’s recovery. In a press conference last week, Zinedine Zidane was asked six questions about …
Read More »Griezmann says heart with Barca after ugly Atletico exit
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Antoine Griezmann on Monday said he couldn’t wait to make his Barcelona debut and that his heart was with the team as he tries to move on from a sour exit from Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid. Griezmann’s 120 million euros ($135 million) transfer was contested by …
Read More »Griezmann trains for the first time with Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | French striker Antoine Griezmann trained with his new Barcelona teammates for the first time on Monday following his controversial move from Atletico Madrid last week. “The first of two sessions scheduled for the day was completed by all available first team players, including the newest incorporations, …
Read More »Barcelona bag Griezmann after stumping up 120 million euros
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday after the Spanish champions paid La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid the 120 million euro ($135 million) release clause required to sign the World Cup winner. “The player will sign a contract with his new club for the …
Read More »Chelsea’s Morata to join Atletico Madrid on permanent deal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata will join Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal after the end of his 18-month loan deal, the Premier League club announced on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been at the Spanish club since January, scoring six goals in 17 games. The …
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