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Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 1
Atletico have defied poor league form to progress well in the cups this season. A semi-final of the champions league is a great achievement, the best yet for manager Simon Marsh but its important to make the most of it because you never know how long it will take to get back into this position. Real Madrid was perhaps the hardest opponent left in the competition but having beaten them 2-0 at home in the league Atletico would go into the game with a chance of ensuring they took a lead into the second leg. Unfortunately the injury to Cristante weakened the team but Real had their own problems with star defender Militao suspended. As a result Atletico plumped for a 4-man defence whereas Real opted to shift hooligan Lobotka into defence to make 5.
The game itself was limiting in chances but Atletico carved out the most with a 9-5 shot count. Most managers would hope for a 1-goal lead to take into the second leg but it was not to be. Hopes were raised when R_K_Muani (9) opened the scoring. Hopes were dashed when S_Lobotka (46) levelled. Hopes were raised again when Dalot had to leave the field of play in the 48th minute leaving a 15-rated defender in his place, this helping Atletico take some control of the match but they could not find a winning goal.
The draw ensures that both teams are now still in the tie going into the second leg. There will be two league games to play first. Atletico now have 6 players on the suspension tightrope with Real only 1. Cristante news is good in that he will be fit for the second leg but there are considerable worries several players might not be.
Atletico Madrid 0 - 0 Bayern Munich
Atletico decided to go at the game full strength in a bid to stay in touch in the league as one poor result in the cup semi final will end the season. Atletico outplayed Bayern with a shot count of 19-10 but could not find a goal. Its either Martinez shipping 4 goals from 6 shots at one end of the strikers missing 19 chances at the other. Quite literally Atletico are lovely in the middle of the field and stink at both ends. Perhaps not the time to start a franchise basketball team.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We thankfully got away with none of the 5 players teetering on suspension picking up a booking but the draw does nothing but mean all the hard work catching up has disappeared. We are happy to have pulled away from some of the other teams below now but we will need another great run to catch anyone else up. On top of that news is bad that we have lost Cristante for 3 games injury. So frustrating to be missing our best player for the champions league semi-final".
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PSG 4 Atletico Madrid 1
Atletico have never really got on very well when playing PSG. Its not the easiest task trying to beat the best side in FFO but some fortune has be a long time pending.
True to form we just got more of the same. A shot count of 12-9 could with fortune have resulted in a win and three points. It shouldnt have resulted in a 4-1 defeat. It would probably be beneficial not to bother flying to France next time and just take a 3-0 loss and save the world from plane emissions.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "It couldnt really have been any worse with every other team in the top10 winning apart from Lisbon. All the hard work we have done gradually catching up has firmly halted and to be honest it feels pretty flat at the moment again. We have the champions league semi finals coming and we need to lift ourselves for that. We have 5 players on the verge of suspension so I already have it in my head we will likely end up screwed over by the gods. Do we rest them all against Bayern Munich?".
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Atletico Madrid 2 Real Sociedad 1
Another wasteful night in front of goal for Atletico. A 30-14 shot count really should have resulted in an easier win than this, For a third of the match Atletico were under threat of losing the game.
A quick-fire double from Y_Pino (47) and R_Sessegnon (55) helped to sqeeuze another three points and suddenly the table looks healthy.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We made hard work if it but in truth its rare we do anything but. With these stats other teams win 6-1 whilst we sit stressed out edging a win".
Asked with regards to Atleticos outside title chances Marsh added "We travel to PSG next game, 10 points behind them. Vicotry would reduce that gap to just 7 points with plenty of football still to be played. Yes, its poor odds but we have not given complete hope yet".
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Lens 0 Atletico Madrid 1
A fairy dominant and deserved victory considering the 3-12 shot count here. Atletico were missing 2 key players through suspension and so had to put their best 11 out in an unfamiliar line up. They did enough and it was recently signed bench player M_Pasalic (10) that scored the goal that would win all three points.
With 4 wins on the spin and 14 points from the last 18. Atletico are the second best side on form and they suddenly have a firm looking grip on a champions league spot.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We have got within 3 points of 4th place and we are definitely looking up the table. To be only 10 off the top is frustrating because we could have had that many more points this season and be right in the mix".
Next up Sociedad
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Atletico 0 Ac Milan 1 (EFL CUP)
Just a sickening evening of football for Atletico as the gods reared their angry heads at the seemingly jinxed and cursed club. After a few games of strangely balanced fortunes the huge black cloud descended over the Atletico stadium.
One - an 11-6 shot count despite down to 10-men results in a 0-1 loss.
two - 2 players suspended for the next league game
and three - the realisation that the winning goal was scored by the player you sold Milan in the close season. His first goal of the season and he isnt even played anywhere near enough minutes to be retained by the club.
nauseating to hear Ed moaning about his goalkeepers abs despite getting the easiest of draws, playing against T-tactics and racking up 59 shots and a 10-1 win.
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Atletico Madrid 4 - 2 Juventus
Atletico have won the war against Juve this season but this is the first real time that they have bossed the game. A shot count of 19-7 was strangely one sided given Juve outplaying Atletico for the majoirty of other games this season.
M_Odegaard (4,66), R_K_Muani (9,21) were the heros as Atletico boosted their goals scored colmumn but more importantly closed the gap further on some teams above them.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "That is about as good we have been all season and a big result in terms of catching up. More of that and we will finish much higher in the league table"
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AC Milan 0 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Milan were a little wounded with 2 players out, Atletico missing Sessegnon but good cover available. It was another relatively tight game but a shot count of 7-11 was enough to keep Atleticos mini revival going.
The three points has strengthened their 8th place position with Marseille, Barca and Roma all losing. The gap to Real and Fiorentina was closed.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Very good victory for us and we are doing better at present. Had we not drawn a lot of game we would be not far off being in the title mix. 2 or 3 good results could give us a great shout of climbing the table from here".
In other news Atletico will play Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. A good draw for the fans who can walk to both games.
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Liverpool 1 Atletico Madrid 2 (3-4 agg)
The tightest quarter final tie would prove to be another close game. Liverpool played counter attacking football and would have been delighted to see Atletico come out all guns blazing. Havertz however would break the deadlock on 28minutes after a fairly mundane start to the game. The goal looked to be huge with Liverpool switching to european style but they too would score against the tactics when De Tomas levelled on 42 minutes. Liverpool didnt revert back to counter though and Atletico went ahead from a Sessegnon lob on 51minutes. The game could have taken a massive swing on 55min when the adrenaline pumped Sesssegnon was sent off for a second bookable offence. The onslaught from the home side never really came though as Atletico squeezed through to the semi finals. The shot count on the night 8-9 and overall for the tie 16-21.
Manager Simon Marsh was delighted with the victory "Superb and wonderful to get to our first champions league semi final. It was nail biting stuff when we were down to 10-men but we were great and kept them at bay".
The last 4 teams in the tournament are Tottenham Hotspur who defeated Arsenal, Inter Milan who beat Juventus and Real Madrid who knocked out PSG. The draw appears to be taking place tomorrow.
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Barcelona 0 Atletico Madrid 1
Back from the mid-season fracture-break Atletico Madrid manager was hoping that a chance to reset the minds and bodies of the players may help to change the fortunes of the club in the league.
This game was a very important fixture, a chance to put some distance between the two clubs whilst attempting to chase down some of them above.
Atletico edged the shot count 7-9 and Pino scored the all important goal that would see the away side take an important three points. With defeats for Roma, Juventus, and a draw for Lisbon it was some progress forwards and Atletico climbed back into 8th place.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "This is what we need more of. Those fairly equal games that are won by having the better keeper or striker to edge more points. We just havent been winning them this season so I am really pleased with this victory and thats a tough visit with three points bagged".
Next up will be a full strength Liverpool in the Champions League quarter final. Atletico will go into the game with key attacking midfielder Odegaard who is suspended. We await to see how this will affect the Atletico teamsheet.
WC1831
Atletico have defied poor league form to progress well in the cups this season. A semi-final of the champions league is a great achievement, the best yet for manager Simon Marsh but its important to make the most of it because you never know how long it will take to get back into this position. Real Madrid was perhaps the hardest opponent left in the competition but having beaten them 2-0 at home in the league Atletico would go into the game with a chance of ensuring they took a lead into the second leg. Unfortunately the injury to Cristante weakened the team but Real had their own problems with star defender Militao suspended. As a result Atletico plumped for a 4-man defence whereas Real opted to shift hooligan Lobotka into defence to make 5.
The game itself was limiting in chances but Atletico carved out the most with a 9-5 shot count. Most managers would hope for a 1-goal lead to take into the second leg but it was not to be. Hopes were raised when R_K_Muani (9) opened the scoring. Hopes were dashed when S_Lobotka (46) levelled. Hopes were raised again when Dalot had to leave the field of play in the 48th minute leaving a 15-rated defender in his place, this helping Atletico take some control of the match but they could not find a winning goal.
The draw ensures that both teams are now still in the tie going into the second leg. There will be two league games to play first. Atletico now have 6 players on the suspension tightrope with Real only 1. Cristante news is good in that he will be fit for the second leg but there are considerable worries several players might not be.
Atletico Madrid 0 - 0 Bayern Munich
Atletico decided to go at the game full strength in a bid to stay in touch in the league as one poor result in the cup semi final will end the season. Atletico outplayed Bayern with a shot count of 19-10 but could not find a goal. Its either Martinez shipping 4 goals from 6 shots at one end of the strikers missing 19 chances at the other. Quite literally Atletico are lovely in the middle of the field and stink at both ends. Perhaps not the time to start a franchise basketball team.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We thankfully got away with none of the 5 players teetering on suspension picking up a booking but the draw does nothing but mean all the hard work catching up has disappeared. We are happy to have pulled away from some of the other teams below now but we will need another great run to catch anyone else up. On top of that news is bad that we have lost Cristante for 3 games injury. So frustrating to be missing our best player for the champions league semi-final".
================================================== ================================================== ============
PSG 4 Atletico Madrid 1
Atletico have never really got on very well when playing PSG. Its not the easiest task trying to beat the best side in FFO but some fortune has be a long time pending.
True to form we just got more of the same. A shot count of 12-9 could with fortune have resulted in a win and three points. It shouldnt have resulted in a 4-1 defeat. It would probably be beneficial not to bother flying to France next time and just take a 3-0 loss and save the world from plane emissions.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "It couldnt really have been any worse with every other team in the top10 winning apart from Lisbon. All the hard work we have done gradually catching up has firmly halted and to be honest it feels pretty flat at the moment again. We have the champions league semi finals coming and we need to lift ourselves for that. We have 5 players on the verge of suspension so I already have it in my head we will likely end up screwed over by the gods. Do we rest them all against Bayern Munich?".
================================================== ================================================== ===============
Atletico Madrid 2 Real Sociedad 1
Another wasteful night in front of goal for Atletico. A 30-14 shot count really should have resulted in an easier win than this, For a third of the match Atletico were under threat of losing the game.
A quick-fire double from Y_Pino (47) and R_Sessegnon (55) helped to sqeeuze another three points and suddenly the table looks healthy.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We made hard work if it but in truth its rare we do anything but. With these stats other teams win 6-1 whilst we sit stressed out edging a win".
Asked with regards to Atleticos outside title chances Marsh added "We travel to PSG next game, 10 points behind them. Vicotry would reduce that gap to just 7 points with plenty of football still to be played. Yes, its poor odds but we have not given complete hope yet".
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Lens 0 Atletico Madrid 1
A fairy dominant and deserved victory considering the 3-12 shot count here. Atletico were missing 2 key players through suspension and so had to put their best 11 out in an unfamiliar line up. They did enough and it was recently signed bench player M_Pasalic (10) that scored the goal that would win all three points.
With 4 wins on the spin and 14 points from the last 18. Atletico are the second best side on form and they suddenly have a firm looking grip on a champions league spot.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We have got within 3 points of 4th place and we are definitely looking up the table. To be only 10 off the top is frustrating because we could have had that many more points this season and be right in the mix".
Next up Sociedad
================================================== ================================================== ================
Atletico 0 Ac Milan 1 (EFL CUP)
Just a sickening evening of football for Atletico as the gods reared their angry heads at the seemingly jinxed and cursed club. After a few games of strangely balanced fortunes the huge black cloud descended over the Atletico stadium.
One - an 11-6 shot count despite down to 10-men results in a 0-1 loss.
two - 2 players suspended for the next league game
and three - the realisation that the winning goal was scored by the player you sold Milan in the close season. His first goal of the season and he isnt even played anywhere near enough minutes to be retained by the club.
nauseating to hear Ed moaning about his goalkeepers abs despite getting the easiest of draws, playing against T-tactics and racking up 59 shots and a 10-1 win.
================================================== ================================================== ===============.
Atletico Madrid 4 - 2 Juventus
Atletico have won the war against Juve this season but this is the first real time that they have bossed the game. A shot count of 19-7 was strangely one sided given Juve outplaying Atletico for the majoirty of other games this season.
M_Odegaard (4,66), R_K_Muani (9,21) were the heros as Atletico boosted their goals scored colmumn but more importantly closed the gap further on some teams above them.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "That is about as good we have been all season and a big result in terms of catching up. More of that and we will finish much higher in the league table"
================================================== ================================================== ==================
AC Milan 0 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Milan were a little wounded with 2 players out, Atletico missing Sessegnon but good cover available. It was another relatively tight game but a shot count of 7-11 was enough to keep Atleticos mini revival going.
The three points has strengthened their 8th place position with Marseille, Barca and Roma all losing. The gap to Real and Fiorentina was closed.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Very good victory for us and we are doing better at present. Had we not drawn a lot of game we would be not far off being in the title mix. 2 or 3 good results could give us a great shout of climbing the table from here".
In other news Atletico will play Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. A good draw for the fans who can walk to both games.
================================================== ================================================== ==============
Liverpool 1 Atletico Madrid 2 (3-4 agg)
The tightest quarter final tie would prove to be another close game. Liverpool played counter attacking football and would have been delighted to see Atletico come out all guns blazing. Havertz however would break the deadlock on 28minutes after a fairly mundane start to the game. The goal looked to be huge with Liverpool switching to european style but they too would score against the tactics when De Tomas levelled on 42 minutes. Liverpool didnt revert back to counter though and Atletico went ahead from a Sessegnon lob on 51minutes. The game could have taken a massive swing on 55min when the adrenaline pumped Sesssegnon was sent off for a second bookable offence. The onslaught from the home side never really came though as Atletico squeezed through to the semi finals. The shot count on the night 8-9 and overall for the tie 16-21.
Manager Simon Marsh was delighted with the victory "Superb and wonderful to get to our first champions league semi final. It was nail biting stuff when we were down to 10-men but we were great and kept them at bay".
The last 4 teams in the tournament are Tottenham Hotspur who defeated Arsenal, Inter Milan who beat Juventus and Real Madrid who knocked out PSG. The draw appears to be taking place tomorrow.
================================================== ================================================== ========
Barcelona 0 Atletico Madrid 1
Back from the mid-season fracture-break Atletico Madrid manager was hoping that a chance to reset the minds and bodies of the players may help to change the fortunes of the club in the league.
This game was a very important fixture, a chance to put some distance between the two clubs whilst attempting to chase down some of them above.
Atletico edged the shot count 7-9 and Pino scored the all important goal that would see the away side take an important three points. With defeats for Roma, Juventus, and a draw for Lisbon it was some progress forwards and Atletico climbed back into 8th place.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "This is what we need more of. Those fairly equal games that are won by having the better keeper or striker to edge more points. We just havent been winning them this season so I am really pleased with this victory and thats a tough visit with three points bagged".
Next up will be a full strength Liverpool in the Champions League quarter final. Atletico will go into the game with key attacking midfielder Odegaard who is suspended. We await to see how this will affect the Atletico teamsheet.
WC1831