Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Athletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid confirm sale of Partey to Arsenal
English Premier League (EPL) side Arsenal completed the biggest move of transfer deadline day on Monday as they secured the signing of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
“La Liga on Monday informed Atletico Madrid at 23:28 that representatives from Arsenal arrived at the footballing body’s headquarters looking to meet Thomas Partey’s release clause,” read a statement on Atletico Madrid’s website just before the midnight CET deadline.
“Thus, the player has unilaterally ended his work contract that he had signed with the club through to 30 June 2023.”
The deal is worth 50 million euros (45.37 million pounds).
Arsenal then announced the deal on social media at 23:15 local time.
Under La Liga rules all players must have a buyout clause in their contracts and any club wishing to activate it must deposit the full amount with the Spanish league.
The league organisers will then release the player’s registration before passing the fee onto the selling club.
Read also: Mikel Arteta backs Arsenal board after missing out on Houssem Aouar transfer
Partey, 27, joined the Spanish side’s youth academy in 2012 and has gone on to establish himself as an integral part of Diego Simeone’s side since making his debut in 2015.
In a separate deal, Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreria has joined Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan deal.
Also, out-of-favour Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi left the Emirates Stadium for Hertha Berlin on loan.
October 6, 2020
Atletico Madrid edge Liverpool after vintage defensive display
UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool will need to summon another famous European comeback at Anfield next month after they were beaten 0-1 away to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Spain midfielder Saul Niguez struck the only goal of their last 16 first leg game in the fourth minute by bundling into the net from close range following a corner kick.
It was their traditional weapon of choice in recent years.
Liverpool have won 25 of 26 English Premier League (EPL) games this season and are on course for a record-smashing title win.
But they missed a series of chances to equalise in the second half, with Mohamed Salah and team captain Jordan Henderson coming closest to scoring.
Juergen Klopp’s side play at home to Atletico Madrid on March 11 in the return leg at Anfield.
That was where they produced an incredible 4-0 win over FC Barcelona in last year’s semi-final second leg fixture after losing the first match 3-0.
Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Tuesday’s venue, was however the scene of Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in last year’s final.
But they faced a very different type of atmosphere this time around.
Clouds of billowing red smoke greeted the Atletico Madrid bus when it arrived at the ground as the home supporters stoked up a scorching atmosphere throughout the game.
It helped to give their side a lift in the middle of their worst season in recent memory.
Diego Simeone’s men have looked nothing like the sides which reached the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals.
The Argentine manager’s side had not challenged Real Madrid and FC Barcelona’s duopoly of La Liga for most of this campaign.
Now they trail league leaders Real Madrid by 13 points.
But on Tuesday they produced a vintage defensive display.
They sat deep and barely gave Liverpool any space for their attacking trident of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to work their usual magic.
Mane was fortunate not to be sent off late in the first half after clashing with Sime Vrsaljko while on a yellow card.
He was swiftly substituted by Klopp for Divock Origi, who scored the second goal in last year’s final.
The Senegalese caused little disquiet to Atletico Madrid’s towering defenders, yet Salah should have levelled with a header which went wide of the near post.
Henderson also narrowly missed the target from inside the area later on.(Reuters/NAN)
February 19, 2020
Koke helps Atletico earn badly-needed win
Atletico Madrid ended a barren run of five games in all competitions without a win with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Granada in La Liga on Saturday, inspired by returning captain Koke.
The midfielder was making his first appearance in the league since mid-December and wasted little time in making an impact on his struggling team.
This was after he set up Angel Correa to score the only goal of the game in the sixth minute.
Atletico were comfortable in the first half but began to suffer in the second and it took a world class save from goalkeeper Jan Oblak to prevent Granada’s Roberto Soldado levelling with a backheel.
The win lifted Atletico into fourth in the standings on 39 points after 23 games, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid who play away to Osasuna on Sunday.(Reuters/NAN)
February 10, 2020
Atletico Madrid stun FC Barcelona to reach Super Cup final
Atletico Madrid pulled off a stunning turnaround to beat FC Barcelona 3-2 in an enthralling Spanish Super Cup tie in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
They thus booked their place in the final of the revamped competition where they will face Real Madrid on Sunday.
Argentine forward Angel Correa struck the decisive goal in the 86th minute to complete an unlikely late comeback for Atletico Madrid.
That was after Barca had dominated the second half and had two goals ruled out following VAR reviews.
Substitute Koke had put Atletico Madrid in front at the start of the second half, but Lionel Messi levelled in the 51st minute.
Messi soon put the ball in the net again but his second effort was ruled out for handball following a VAR review.
Former Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann did put Barca in front in the 65th while Gerard Pique thought he had extended their lead moments later.
However, that goal was also ruled out after a VAR review, this time for a fractional offside against Arturo Vidal.
Atletico Madrid had spent most of the second half trying to stop waves of Barca attacks but got a lifeline when substitute Vitolo was tripped by goalkeeper Neto.
Striker Alvaro Morata then equalised from the penalty kick spot in the 81st minute.
Stand-in goalkeeper Neto was also at fault for the winning goal, failing to properly block Correa’s shot which bounced into the net to cap an incredible match.(Reuters/NAN)
January 10, 2020