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Atletico Madrid 1 Ac Milan 1
Atletico season has started with a splutter again. Looking for a fast start this resembles the london marathon when the gun is triggered but then you wait an hour to cross the start line. This was a big game to gain some impetus and momentum but an average performance gave an average result. A shot count of 17-15 on the day could have been enough for the home side with a better goalkeeper and shooting skills but we cannot complain at a shared 1 point each.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Its not the worst result but you have to win your home games to compete at this level. We cant win many games right now though in truth, all we can do is battle on and hope some luck starts to come out way soon but its a long time coming".
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Atletico Madrid 0 Tottenham 0
Atletico entered the DPT with an envious eye on those involved in the Champions League. Hopefully the DPT competition will be a one-off pitstop that can be enjoyed this season.
First up was Tottenham a side riding high in 2nd place in the Premier League but one that was not rated well by Ed. A shot count of 22-15 gave an entertaining game but strangely neither side could find the back of the net and night belonged to Munich who won at Barnsley
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Last game out attacking function was spot on and our goalkeeping fuction awful. It was roles reversed tonight. How we didnt score with the better attacking players on the field from 22 shots is incredibly bad luck from the gods. Tottenham will feel they could have nicked a result but we are firmly cheesed off with this one. Its quite an emphatic difference in chances and really should have won the game. The season is giving me more headaches as try to find some answers. We improve the team without improving results".
Good game Timbro
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Real Madrid 5 Atletico Madrid 4
We never got much out of Talbots Madrid and we havent started with getting anything from Ians Madrid. It seems that winning game will once again be difficult for Atletico this season. On the day the home side deserved their three points with a 25-18 shot count but it seems to have been a long time since Atletico won a game against the grain. Martinez has started the season with weetibix wrists and so far things are distinctly average.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Its felt like we have needed two shots to our opponents one for some time now just to get a result. This isnt frustration at this result in isolation but in general over last season and what seems to be a continuation of it. We look on in envy of those teams who manage to win games against the grain".
Next up for Atletico is a foray into the DPT cup where they are heavily fancied to go long.
Good game Ian and good luck in the battle v PSG.
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Altetico Madrid 3 Rangers 2
This game seemed like a good opportunity to try and put back-to-back defeats against Juve and PSG behind us. With home advantage and tactical advantage it took only 14 minutes before Atletico though van de Van. The home side were in complete dominance but somehow Rangers levelled on 32 minutes. Havertz more or less immediately restored the lead on 35 minutes and at half-time a very dominant display from Atletico.
Straight out of the blocks and it was no surprise when Atletico scored again after 48 minutes, this time Olmo. Atletico once again found a way to keep home fans nerves on edge by immediately conceding to make it 3-2.
After 65 minutes Marsh made changes at 1 goal up. Rangers took the tactical advantage and were all over the home side in the latter quarter of the game
Thankfully no further goals were scored.
Marsh commented "A win, but a frustrating one that we made such hard work of it. We had a 18-13 shot count overall but 6 of the away shots came from 80-minutes on. We really should have been further than 3-2 ahead and not giving up tactical advantage but as always there seems to be a part of the side that does not function. Tonight it was the goalkeeping department".
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Juventus 3 Atletico Madrid 2
The first major test for Atletico this season against a side who many tip for third place this season. With both sides starting the game with the same line up and tactics neutrals may have expected the teams to even themselves out. Juventus had other ideas firing themselves into an early lead. The game looked over when Juve scored again on 61 minutes. Atletico dropped to a 4-man defence and went on the attack and quickfire double looked to have turned the game on its head. Perhaps Atletico should have continued the attack? A return to starting game tactics brought a further goal to Juventus. Atletico can count themselves unfortunate winning the shot count 12-9.
Marsh commented "That was a really good effort tonight and we just didnt get much fortune. We will have to pick ourselves up for a tough cup draw midweek now and then its Rangers in the league. A long way to go this season".
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Atletico Madrid 2 Sevilla 1
A very average performance gave Atletico a shot count advantage of only 12-11. Thankfully on the day it was enough to scrap the victory after a comeback from Sevilla late in the game.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Those were the sort of games we ended up losing last season so hopefully the gods are calmer with us. With cup progression and 4 points on the board, its been a decent start to the season for us
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Lazio 0 Atletico Madrid 0
A new season full of fresh optimism. New signings, new managers to battle and hopefully some new gods. Atletico would travel to one such new manager in Ryan Field the man that left Blackburn for Lazio. Lazio look a steely side on paper this season with three defensive midfielders. In fact 8/10 outfield starters would have 12+ tackling. Atletico were helped by a red card to Elliott after 66 minutes ensuring a 15-9 shot count but 24-rated Restes was on form with 8 saves.
Atletico manager Simon Marsh commented "This was a reasonable start for us. Lazio will take points from a lot of clubs this season so we take the point and move to the next fixture. It was disappointing to lose Vini after only 17 minutes and we have news that he misses 2 more games. Its a big early blow but we have players that can step up".
Elsewhere in the league there were ridiculous starts for PSG and Real Madrid. One manager didnt turn up and the other thought a 4-man defence with an average defensive midfielder would be a good idea to play away. The league feels like a 2-horse race after one game.
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Atletico Madrid 2 PSG 4
Terrible draw again
Struggled to a 19-20 shot count against 10-men for 66 minutes of game
No luck from a 19-20 shot count
Lost to an ineligible teamsheet
Out early again
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Atletico Madrid 6 Red Bull Leipzig 0
Atletico would dearly love a decent run in the cup this season and a home tie against RBL provided them with a decent change of progression. Early goals opened up the game and Atletico were able to post a 35-23 overal shot count. The scoreline perhaps harsh on RBL who deserved to score a few goals themselves.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We are safely into the last 32 of the cup and look forwards to the pending cup draw. I am more than happy with the scoreline without a top goalscorer. We managed to get a few minutes for Kilkenny also whos now half way to being retained",
================================================== ================================================== ==============
The first wages guide as been produced and the table below puts them in order of budget for the season with the total amount of players in the respective squads next to them,
The Atletico Madrid media published their thoughts recently on the 1-8 finishing positions based on nothing other than eyeballing the squads. Interestingly the order was the same as the wages order for numbers 1-7, with Lazio well down the list. It does look like Juventus have an outside chance of upsetting the normal trio of contenders and could even do the full distance and win the league. Three sides are currently under the required 23 man squad total
psg 25,520,000 24
rma 23,450,000 24
juv 22,350,000 26
rom 20,050,000 23
-----------------
atm 19,250,000 23
-----------------
int 17,800,000 24
bca 17,600,000 24
cel 15,900,000 21
bym 15,850,000 23
fio 15,600,000 23
dor 14,900,000 24
sev 14,900,000 23
acm 14,800,000 24
laz 14,800,000 23
byl 14,000,000 23
ran 13,100,000 24
nap 11,700,000 22
lis 11,600,000 21
mon 11,200,000 23
fey 9,950,000 25
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We take a look at the forthcoming season and the teams likely to rival Atletico Madrid.
The top 2
--------------
1st Paris St Germaine - look absolutely nailed on to reclaim their title of EFL champions. The change in direction of Roma means there only realistic challenger next season is current champions Real Madrid. PSG have somehow managed to improve the already best side in the game with the additions of Guehi, Arnold and Mbappe.
2nd Real Madrid - World class signings Locatelli and Williams come in to improve champions Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see how new manager Ian Greaves manages a top class side. Will the players bow down to no fancy haircuts and no diving rules? This team should challenge PSG for the title
The best of the rest
---------------------------
3rd Juventus will be looking to be the best of the rest and make 3rd place their own. More good close season business see them with all the attributes to improve on last seasons inconsistent league form.
4th Roma have changed dramatically under new man Hamza. They have reduced the age at Roma considerably after old boss Hughes won more ego trophies than football trophies. The club look better suited for a longer-term future at the top end but do not look strong enough to be title challengers.
5th Atletico Madrid have made some small improvements alongside bringing in top class midfielder Cristante. The club were terribly inconsistent last season and they will hope to be back in the champions league places.
6th Inter Milan have new manager Johnboy at the helm. Close season has been relatively quiet for them but they have kept their side together for another go at the top end.
7th Barcelona - its impossible to tell what business Barca has done because they do that many deals. At one stage they resembled the old side at Lisbon but further trades appear to have brought another change in direction. Barca will continue to change like the weather whilst Bradwell is in charge. In terms of the current side Barca look good enough to challenge for the top-8
8th Lazio - we see Lazio just sneaking a top 8 finish with Fiorentina, Bayern Munich and Ac Milan missing out. Sporting Lisbon were forced into a younger squad and are unlikely to trouble the top-8 as a result. However, there is not a great difference between the teams and like last season we could easily see a repeat Ac Milan performance from one of the chasing sides.
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Since we last heard with regards to Atletico Madrid the club have made further movements in the transfer market.
Dani_Olmo was the next incoming player who joined from Inter Milan in a deal that saw L_Paqueta join the Italians.
K_Havertz was signed from Leeds United in deal that saw S_Chukwueze join the Elland Road outfit.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "In both deals we saw cash leave the club with us getting in our opinion slightly better players. We are striving to put a side together that can compete better than last season and an extra percent here an there will hopefully reverse some of those awful results of last season. In Olmo and Havertz we have added a bit more bite on the pitch".
Next up was the big summer close season auction. Many outsiders felt Atletico Madrid would attempt to sign a defender, a position they looked light on. However, Marsh had other plans and perhaps surprised a few folk by landing Italian B_Cristante 28 ita 1 20 22 14 26 1 807 901 214 in a £77m deal.
Marsh explained "We have some quality defenders at the side already. If we need to play a 5th defender then we have either Christante or DiMarco who we will slot in there. We perhaps need more passing than we do tackling in the team and so by playing a midfielder in defence we can do this. Cristante is at 28 perhaps a little older than we like but he is absolute quality and we thought that some would be put off by his age. As it is we could have signed him for £30m because nobody else wanted him - we thought Liverpool would make a large bid for him and that is it the difficulty of auctions. Either way we are pleased to bring in a top talent that we hope can make a huge difference next season. We have improved the side here and there and must be confident going into the new season".
================================================== ================================================== ==================
Kai Havertz has been made the new captain of Atletico Madrid for the first half of the season. The move takes Havertz up to a 21-rated shooting ability which will hopefully cause teams a few more problems next season. The German is likely to wear the badge for only the first half of the season.
Marsh commented "We wanted that little bit more sharpness in the box early in the season as we got off to a miserable start last season and couldnt score goals. We want a much better start this season as it can take the pressure off having to play certain tactics later in the season if you have points already in the bag. Hopefully Kai will notch a few more goals from being captain".
================================================== ================================================== ================
2389 words
Atletico season has started with a splutter again. Looking for a fast start this resembles the london marathon when the gun is triggered but then you wait an hour to cross the start line. This was a big game to gain some impetus and momentum but an average performance gave an average result. A shot count of 17-15 on the day could have been enough for the home side with a better goalkeeper and shooting skills but we cannot complain at a shared 1 point each.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Its not the worst result but you have to win your home games to compete at this level. We cant win many games right now though in truth, all we can do is battle on and hope some luck starts to come out way soon but its a long time coming".
================================================== ============================================
Atletico Madrid 0 Tottenham 0
Atletico entered the DPT with an envious eye on those involved in the Champions League. Hopefully the DPT competition will be a one-off pitstop that can be enjoyed this season.
First up was Tottenham a side riding high in 2nd place in the Premier League but one that was not rated well by Ed. A shot count of 22-15 gave an entertaining game but strangely neither side could find the back of the net and night belonged to Munich who won at Barnsley
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Last game out attacking function was spot on and our goalkeeping fuction awful. It was roles reversed tonight. How we didnt score with the better attacking players on the field from 22 shots is incredibly bad luck from the gods. Tottenham will feel they could have nicked a result but we are firmly cheesed off with this one. Its quite an emphatic difference in chances and really should have won the game. The season is giving me more headaches as try to find some answers. We improve the team without improving results".
Good game Timbro
================================================== ================================================== ==============
Real Madrid 5 Atletico Madrid 4
We never got much out of Talbots Madrid and we havent started with getting anything from Ians Madrid. It seems that winning game will once again be difficult for Atletico this season. On the day the home side deserved their three points with a 25-18 shot count but it seems to have been a long time since Atletico won a game against the grain. Martinez has started the season with weetibix wrists and so far things are distinctly average.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Its felt like we have needed two shots to our opponents one for some time now just to get a result. This isnt frustration at this result in isolation but in general over last season and what seems to be a continuation of it. We look on in envy of those teams who manage to win games against the grain".
Next up for Atletico is a foray into the DPT cup where they are heavily fancied to go long.
Good game Ian and good luck in the battle v PSG.
================================================== ================================================== ===============
Altetico Madrid 3 Rangers 2
This game seemed like a good opportunity to try and put back-to-back defeats against Juve and PSG behind us. With home advantage and tactical advantage it took only 14 minutes before Atletico though van de Van. The home side were in complete dominance but somehow Rangers levelled on 32 minutes. Havertz more or less immediately restored the lead on 35 minutes and at half-time a very dominant display from Atletico.
Straight out of the blocks and it was no surprise when Atletico scored again after 48 minutes, this time Olmo. Atletico once again found a way to keep home fans nerves on edge by immediately conceding to make it 3-2.
After 65 minutes Marsh made changes at 1 goal up. Rangers took the tactical advantage and were all over the home side in the latter quarter of the game
Thankfully no further goals were scored.
Marsh commented "A win, but a frustrating one that we made such hard work of it. We had a 18-13 shot count overall but 6 of the away shots came from 80-minutes on. We really should have been further than 3-2 ahead and not giving up tactical advantage but as always there seems to be a part of the side that does not function. Tonight it was the goalkeeping department".
================================================== ================================================== ================
Juventus 3 Atletico Madrid 2
The first major test for Atletico this season against a side who many tip for third place this season. With both sides starting the game with the same line up and tactics neutrals may have expected the teams to even themselves out. Juventus had other ideas firing themselves into an early lead. The game looked over when Juve scored again on 61 minutes. Atletico dropped to a 4-man defence and went on the attack and quickfire double looked to have turned the game on its head. Perhaps Atletico should have continued the attack? A return to starting game tactics brought a further goal to Juventus. Atletico can count themselves unfortunate winning the shot count 12-9.
Marsh commented "That was a really good effort tonight and we just didnt get much fortune. We will have to pick ourselves up for a tough cup draw midweek now and then its Rangers in the league. A long way to go this season".
================================================== ================================================== ==================
Atletico Madrid 2 Sevilla 1
A very average performance gave Atletico a shot count advantage of only 12-11. Thankfully on the day it was enough to scrap the victory after a comeback from Sevilla late in the game.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "Those were the sort of games we ended up losing last season so hopefully the gods are calmer with us. With cup progression and 4 points on the board, its been a decent start to the season for us
================================================== ================================================== =================
Lazio 0 Atletico Madrid 0
A new season full of fresh optimism. New signings, new managers to battle and hopefully some new gods. Atletico would travel to one such new manager in Ryan Field the man that left Blackburn for Lazio. Lazio look a steely side on paper this season with three defensive midfielders. In fact 8/10 outfield starters would have 12+ tackling. Atletico were helped by a red card to Elliott after 66 minutes ensuring a 15-9 shot count but 24-rated Restes was on form with 8 saves.
Atletico manager Simon Marsh commented "This was a reasonable start for us. Lazio will take points from a lot of clubs this season so we take the point and move to the next fixture. It was disappointing to lose Vini after only 17 minutes and we have news that he misses 2 more games. Its a big early blow but we have players that can step up".
Elsewhere in the league there were ridiculous starts for PSG and Real Madrid. One manager didnt turn up and the other thought a 4-man defence with an average defensive midfielder would be a good idea to play away. The league feels like a 2-horse race after one game.
================================================== ================================================== ==================
Atletico Madrid 2 PSG 4
Terrible draw again
Struggled to a 19-20 shot count against 10-men for 66 minutes of game
No luck from a 19-20 shot count
Lost to an ineligible teamsheet
Out early again
================================================== ================================================== =================
Atletico Madrid 6 Red Bull Leipzig 0
Atletico would dearly love a decent run in the cup this season and a home tie against RBL provided them with a decent change of progression. Early goals opened up the game and Atletico were able to post a 35-23 overal shot count. The scoreline perhaps harsh on RBL who deserved to score a few goals themselves.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "We are safely into the last 32 of the cup and look forwards to the pending cup draw. I am more than happy with the scoreline without a top goalscorer. We managed to get a few minutes for Kilkenny also whos now half way to being retained",
================================================== ================================================== ==============
The first wages guide as been produced and the table below puts them in order of budget for the season with the total amount of players in the respective squads next to them,
The Atletico Madrid media published their thoughts recently on the 1-8 finishing positions based on nothing other than eyeballing the squads. Interestingly the order was the same as the wages order for numbers 1-7, with Lazio well down the list. It does look like Juventus have an outside chance of upsetting the normal trio of contenders and could even do the full distance and win the league. Three sides are currently under the required 23 man squad total
psg 25,520,000 24
rma 23,450,000 24
juv 22,350,000 26
rom 20,050,000 23
-----------------
atm 19,250,000 23
-----------------
int 17,800,000 24
bca 17,600,000 24
cel 15,900,000 21
bym 15,850,000 23
fio 15,600,000 23
dor 14,900,000 24
sev 14,900,000 23
acm 14,800,000 24
laz 14,800,000 23
byl 14,000,000 23
ran 13,100,000 24
nap 11,700,000 22
lis 11,600,000 21
mon 11,200,000 23
fey 9,950,000 25
================================================== ================================================== ==================
We take a look at the forthcoming season and the teams likely to rival Atletico Madrid.
The top 2
--------------
1st Paris St Germaine - look absolutely nailed on to reclaim their title of EFL champions. The change in direction of Roma means there only realistic challenger next season is current champions Real Madrid. PSG have somehow managed to improve the already best side in the game with the additions of Guehi, Arnold and Mbappe.
2nd Real Madrid - World class signings Locatelli and Williams come in to improve champions Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see how new manager Ian Greaves manages a top class side. Will the players bow down to no fancy haircuts and no diving rules? This team should challenge PSG for the title
The best of the rest
---------------------------
3rd Juventus will be looking to be the best of the rest and make 3rd place their own. More good close season business see them with all the attributes to improve on last seasons inconsistent league form.
4th Roma have changed dramatically under new man Hamza. They have reduced the age at Roma considerably after old boss Hughes won more ego trophies than football trophies. The club look better suited for a longer-term future at the top end but do not look strong enough to be title challengers.
5th Atletico Madrid have made some small improvements alongside bringing in top class midfielder Cristante. The club were terribly inconsistent last season and they will hope to be back in the champions league places.
6th Inter Milan have new manager Johnboy at the helm. Close season has been relatively quiet for them but they have kept their side together for another go at the top end.
7th Barcelona - its impossible to tell what business Barca has done because they do that many deals. At one stage they resembled the old side at Lisbon but further trades appear to have brought another change in direction. Barca will continue to change like the weather whilst Bradwell is in charge. In terms of the current side Barca look good enough to challenge for the top-8
8th Lazio - we see Lazio just sneaking a top 8 finish with Fiorentina, Bayern Munich and Ac Milan missing out. Sporting Lisbon were forced into a younger squad and are unlikely to trouble the top-8 as a result. However, there is not a great difference between the teams and like last season we could easily see a repeat Ac Milan performance from one of the chasing sides.
================================================== ================================================== =================
Since we last heard with regards to Atletico Madrid the club have made further movements in the transfer market.
Dani_Olmo was the next incoming player who joined from Inter Milan in a deal that saw L_Paqueta join the Italians.
K_Havertz was signed from Leeds United in deal that saw S_Chukwueze join the Elland Road outfit.
Manager Simon Marsh commented "In both deals we saw cash leave the club with us getting in our opinion slightly better players. We are striving to put a side together that can compete better than last season and an extra percent here an there will hopefully reverse some of those awful results of last season. In Olmo and Havertz we have added a bit more bite on the pitch".
Next up was the big summer close season auction. Many outsiders felt Atletico Madrid would attempt to sign a defender, a position they looked light on. However, Marsh had other plans and perhaps surprised a few folk by landing Italian B_Cristante 28 ita 1 20 22 14 26 1 807 901 214 in a £77m deal.
Marsh explained "We have some quality defenders at the side already. If we need to play a 5th defender then we have either Christante or DiMarco who we will slot in there. We perhaps need more passing than we do tackling in the team and so by playing a midfielder in defence we can do this. Cristante is at 28 perhaps a little older than we like but he is absolute quality and we thought that some would be put off by his age. As it is we could have signed him for £30m because nobody else wanted him - we thought Liverpool would make a large bid for him and that is it the difficulty of auctions. Either way we are pleased to bring in a top talent that we hope can make a huge difference next season. We have improved the side here and there and must be confident going into the new season".
================================================== ================================================== ==================
Kai Havertz has been made the new captain of Atletico Madrid for the first half of the season. The move takes Havertz up to a 21-rated shooting ability which will hopefully cause teams a few more problems next season. The German is likely to wear the badge for only the first half of the season.
Marsh commented "We wanted that little bit more sharpness in the box early in the season as we got off to a miserable start last season and couldnt score goals. We want a much better start this season as it can take the pressure off having to play certain tactics later in the season if you have points already in the bag. Hopefully Kai will notch a few more goals from being captain".
================================================== ================================================== ================
2389 words