Tag: Atletico Madrid

If it continued… (Atletico Madrid v Barcelona)

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The second leg of Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona had it. A skillful Fernando Torres goal within the first minute, Jordi Alba getting smacked in the head by the linesman’s flag, Torres shoving Neymar while walking off the pitch at halftime, Gabi getting a red card in the tunnel, Arda Turan throwing his own boot, and Barcelona came from behind to win 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate). It even had a player — Atletico’s Cristian Ansaldi — who was detained by police on his way into the stadium for slamming his car door on a cop’s hand!

Clearly this match had everything (a man threw his own boot!) and more. Yet many of you still requested that we ask that old chestnut of a question: What if it continued?

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Jordi Alba gets smacked in the head by linesman’s flag, Arda Turan fights back

If Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo get charged with violent conduct for kicking people, then this linesman should get charged for smacking Jordi Alba in the head with his flag during the second leg of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey tie. That’s assault with a deadly weapon. Jordi Alba needs to lead a “#DisallowLinesmanViolence” campaign. Read more

Leo Messi says he has “no intention” of leaving Barcelona, ruins everything for rumor merchants

First, Barcelona had to go and disrupt the storyline of “Barca are over (for real this time!)” by beating Atletico 3-1 with goals from Neymar, Lionel Messi AND Luis Suarez. Then, after the match, Messi ruined the most pervasive story of the January transfer window by going on Barca TV and stating unequivocally that everything printed about him simultaneously trying to leave the club and run it as an iron-fisted dictator is total bullshit.

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Ball boy celebrates Atletico goal in Madrid derby by jumping into Diego Simeone’s arms

Atletico Madrid broke the scoreless deadlock from the penalty spot in 58th minute of the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Real Madrid (thanks to the blatant foul stylings of Sergio Ramos). One ball boy at the Vicente Calderon celebrated the goal by jumping into the arms of Atletico manager Diego Simeone. Because when you get Fernando Torres back and take a lead against Real Madrid in the same week, hugs are going to happen.

The ball boy wasn’t just some random kid, though. It was Giuliano Simeone — Diego’s son. They did the same celebration last week against Levante and again when Atletico scored a second goal against Real in the 76th minute.

Anyway, this also proves that Jose Mourinho’s theory about the ball boys being against Chelsea is true. Somehow.

This behind the scenes video of Fernando Torres’ Atletico unveiling is adorable

Following a great reception at the airport earlier in the week, more than 40,000 people turned up at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday to officially welcome Fernando Torres back to the club where his career began. The video above shows some of the emotions of the day. The hugs, the joy, the familial warmth, and the importance of not putting your hands in your mouth.

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Arda Turan sings (terribly) on The Voice in Turkey

The winter break affords footballers the opportunity to do things away from the game for once. So Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan went home to Turkey to try and make it as a singer (kind of) on The Voice.

For those unfamiliar with the show, the judges all start with their chairs turned away from the stage, then the contestant walks out and sings. If the judges like what they hear, they turn their chairs around to see the person singing and fill them with false hope that makes their inevitable failure to become the next Right Said Fred.

So when Turan came out, he was given a rousing ovation that piqued that judges interest. And even though his singing sounded like a labrador trying to cough up a cigarette factory, the judges still turned their chairs around just to see who the presumably special guest was.

From there, everyone had a bit of fun, but the lesson of the day is that Arda Turan probably isn’t going to leave Atletico to become the next Dion Dublin anytime soon.

Fernando Torres gets warm reception at Madrid airport, feels happiness once more

Fernando Torres’ brilliantly confusing career has come full circle with his return to Atletico Madrid on loan from Milan after completing a permanent move from Chelsea. With Liverpool fans feeling betrayed by him and Chelsea and Milan fans disillusioned by his lack of goals, Atletico supporters are perhaps the only ones left with unconditional love for Torres. And a large number of them made sure he felt welcome upon his arrival at Madrid’s Barajas Airport.

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