Diego Simeone Likens Jan Oblak to Lionel Messi After 'Historic' Win in Liverpool
Mar 12, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 7: Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Sevilla at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 7, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Diego Simeone has compared Jan Oblak's impact to that of Barcelona's Lionel Messi after the goalkeeper played a key role in Atletico Madrid's "historic" 3-2 extra-time win over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.
The UEFA Champions League titleholders won 1-0 in 90 minutes to draw 1-1 on aggregate and force extra time in the last 16, but goals from Marcos Llorente helped seal Liverpool's exit. Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino scored on the evening but couldn't prevent a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
Oblak was named man of the match for his performance on Merseyside, and Simeone told reporters after the game: "Our goalkeeper is the best in the world. He decides games the way [Lionel] Messi does for Barcelona."
Liverpool reserve keeper Adrian played a critical role for opposing reasons at the other end of the field, with regular No. 1 Alisson Becker missing the second leg because of injury.
Firmino's 94th-minute goal put Liverpool 2-0 ahead on the night (2-1 on aggregate) and within sight of the quarter-finals, but Adrian's poor clearance minutes later allowed Llorente to bag a vital away goal (U.S. viewers only):
The Atletico substitute showed remarkable composure in the 106th minute to score his second—which Adrian arguably should have saved—before assisting Alvaro Morata for a late blow at the death (U.S. viewers only):
Oblak's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four outings but are now unbeaten in seven games (including extra time), and Squawka highlighted the Slovenian's match-saving input on Wednesday:
Jan Oblak made NINE saves against Liverpool, the most by any goalkeeper at Anfield in the Champions League this season and the most in a single UCL knockout game so far in 2019/20.
Los Rojiblancos have advanced to the competition's quarter-finals for the first time since 2017, and Simeone added: "I'm happy for the club that once again we are among the eight best teams in Europe. It was historic, beautiful. Their supporters pushed them as ours did at the Wanda but we stuck with the plan."
It was clear from Atletico's second-half display that they were content going to extra time, with Simeone's substitutions and the squad's fitness among the key factors in their advance to the next round.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport (h/t Evening Standard's Joe Krishnan) after the game he didn't understand why Atletico, with the players they possess, don't play "proper football."
Simeone was asked to comment on those remarks and outlined a different sole objective:
Klopp's "proper football" comments put to Simeone. Asked how he plays:
Oblak came under particularly heavy pressure in the second half of normal time but was instrumental for his side throughout, while Adrian's outing will inevitably be remembered for far different reasons.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at an empty Parc des Princes on Wednesday to also advance (3-2 on aggregate), joining RB Leipzig and Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid President Jokes Anfield 'Wouldn't Pass the UEFA Inspection'
Feb 19, 2020
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Liverpool fans wave flags and banners before the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Liverpool and Shrewsbury Town at Anfield on February 4, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
Anfield isn't going to intimidate Atletico Madrid, not judging by club president Enrique Cerezo, who has made light of facing Liverpool at the forbidding venue in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16.
Atleti will take a slender lead to Merseyside on March 11 after beating the holders 1-0 in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night. Liverpool have produced some memorable comebacks at home, but Cerezo was in bold spirits when he spoke about the prospect to AS (h/t Connor O'Neill of the Liverpool Echo): "Anfield is a great stadium but it's old. It probably wouldn't pass the UEFA inspection if it had to do it."
Naturally, there is more than a little bravado at play behind Cerezo's words. However, Atleti earned the right not to be over-awed at Anfield after the way they handled Liverpool in the first leg.
A stubborn defensive rearguard action denied the Reds time and space in the final third. Ultimately, a usually prolific and overpowering Liverpool side was rendered impotent in front of goal, much to Jurgen Klopp's frustration:
Liverpool are the only team to have failed to register a shot on target in a Champions League game so far this season.
Atleti achieved the rare feat of blanking Liverpool even with right-back Kieran Trippier and club-record signing forward Joao Felix injured. The result was further proof of Atletico boss Diego Simeone's ability to frustrate more talented teams in big games.
It's served Atleti well during Simeone's tenure, earning the club a pair of UEFA Europa League trophies, as well as Champions League final appearances in 2014 and 2016. In many ways, the victory over Liverpool represented a throwback to previous upsets on Simeone's watch, including beating Barcelona and Bayern Munich in 2016.
Atlético Madrid have never lost a Champions League knockout match at home under Diego Simeone.
"According to the media, a week ago we were dead and buried and now we are very much alive. They had gone 30 games unbeaten and people were saying they are the best team in the world. We are happy with the result but we still have another game to go. But we have rediscovered ourselves and that is the best news."
Of course, Liverpool have their own proud history at home in this competition. Historically, Anfield has taken on an aura that gives the Reds an edge on decisive nights.
This edge was never more obvious than when Barcelona arrived on the red half of Merseyside with a 3-0 lead after the first leg of last season's semi-final. Barca promptly wilted amid a deafening din from an intense home crowd that spurred Liverpool to a famous 4-0 win.
Klopp has already sounded a warning to Atleti about the challenges awaiting them in the return fixture:
Klopp (with more than a hint of menace): “For those Atletico fans lucky enough to get a ticket… welcome to Anfield.” https://t.co/JOLoO58ePa
The Reds have reversed more daunting deficits, while it's also true Atletico are no longer quite the force they were. Simeone's men are fourth in La Liga and 13 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
Even so, it would be dangerous for Liverpool to expect another Anfield miracle. If there's one team tough and resourceful enough to weather the storm in three weeks it's Simeone's masters of pragmatic resistance.
Alvaro Morata: Liverpool Still Among UCL Favourites After Atletico Madrid Loss
Feb 19, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: Alvaro Morata of Atletico de Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on February 18, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata believes Liverpool remain among the UEFA Champions League favourites even after Tuesday's defeat, and he would rather avoid another date with former club Juventus.
The Rojiblancos beat the defending champions 1-0 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, and after the match, Morata was asked about his favourite for the title.
Per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia), he named the Reds, Juve and Paris Saint-Germain, who also lost on Tuesday: "I think Liverpool and Juve are the best. I prefer not to meet them [Juventus] again in the Champions League. I think the Bianconeri, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites. But nothing is for certain in the Champions League."
Saul Niguez scored the only goal of Tuesday's match from an early corner (UK/U.S. only):
Listen to that roar 🤯
Saul Niguez gives Atletico the dream start with a goal inside four minutes!
Atletico―who came into the match with just one win in their last five La Liga matches―shut up shop after the early lead, resorting to a defensive game plan that limited space for Liverpool's prolific attack.
It worked to perfection, leaving the Reds with no answers:
Liverpool failed to get a single shot on target against Atletico Madrid - only the second time they've done so in 251 games under Klopp 🤭 pic.twitter.com/BK6DDlodPz
The tie is far from over, however. Atletico managed just one goal themselves, giving them a slender lead ahead of the second leg at Anfield. Liverpool's home ground has been a fortress for them, and last year, it was the scene of the remarkable comeback against Barcelona.
After a 3-0 defeat at the Camp Nou, the Premier League giants beat Lionel Messi and his team-mates 4-0 at home on their way to the title.
Atletico were also on the end of a tremendous comeback last season. Serie A champions Juventus lost 2-0 in the Spanish capital but completed a comeback with a 3-0 win at home:
Morata had his chances against his former club in that match, but there was no stopping Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two teams were grouped together in the 2019-20 campaign. The Bianconeri earned a 2-2 draw in Madrid before winning 1-0 at home on their way to first place in Group D, ahead of Atletico. They'll face Lyon in the round of 16.
PSG have exited the tournament in the round of 16 in three straight years and lost to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Rising star Erling Haaland netted twice for the hosts either side of a Neymar strike for the Ligue 1 giants.
Diego Simeone Says Atletico Madrid Started Beating Liverpool 'On the Roundabout'
Feb 19, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid celebrates the victory after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on February 18, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone said his side had beaten Liverpool before their tie began on Tuesday after the incredible reception their team bus received outside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Los Rojiblancos proceeded to record a 1-0 win over the Reds in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie courtesy of a goal from Saul Niguez.
Simeone told Movistar (h/t Goal's Ben Spratt): "We started winning on the roundabout next to the stadium. In eight years, I've never seen a reception like that."
The reception was something to behold:
The Atletico Madrid fans are up for this...
Just look at the scenes as they greeted the team bus 🤯
Liverpool had eight shots over the course of the game, but they weren't able to test Jan Oblak with any of them.
Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson had their best chances, but the former glanced a free header wide when he should have hit the target and the latter also narrowly missed with a volley.
At the other end, Alisson was on hand to keep out Morata after he latched onto a miscued header from Virgil van Dijk and escaped the attentions of Fabinho.
The defending champions have the chance to turn things around at Anfield on March 11, and they'll take heart from their Champions League semi-final last year. The Reds won 4-0 at Anfield having lost 3-0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the first leg.
Although they may only have a one-goal deficit to overturn, defensively Atletico are one of the best sides in world football. Only Real Madrid have conceded fewer than their 17 goals in 24 La Liga matches this season.
Atleti gave up a 2-0 lead against Juventus in the round of 16 last season, though. If anyone can replicate the Bianconeri's achievement in coming back, it's a Liverpool side that have only failed to win on seven occasions in all competitions this season.
Costa, the Wanda and Simeone's Fearlessness: How Atletico Aim to Upset Liverpool
Feb 17, 2020
VALLADOLID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 6: (L-R) Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid, coach Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid v Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla on October 6, 2019 in Valladolid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Liverpool look unstoppable. Jurgen Klopp's team are reigning UEFA Champions League holders. They're on track to smash Manchester City's record 100-points tally in the Premier League and are on course to emulate Arsene Wenger's "Invincibles" from the 2003-2004 campaign in going unbeaten all season long.
It's difficult to detect a weakness in them. They're a fearsome side with several ways to fillet opposition teams and the deadliest attacking trident in world football—Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Atletico Madrid—who they face in the UEFA Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday—would be forgiven for running scared, but it's not something a Diego Simeone team would ever entertain.
"Atletico is not afraid of Liverpool," says Patricia Cazon, a journalist with Diario AS. "Atletico is never afraid of an opponent because it's such a competitive team. It doesn't matter how well, or not, the team is playing at the moment. It never looks for excuses, and whoever thinks that all Liverpool has to do is show up because they're Liverpool and what they've achieved elsewhere is totally wrong. There's nothing more distinctive about Simeone's team than its competitive spirit.
"Sure, it will be a very difficult challenge for Atletico, but it will be similar to the challenge Atletico faced last season at the same stage of the competition against Juventus, a team in excellent form who also had a bogeyman in their ranks, Cristiano Ronaldo, who, I suppose, learnt from his mistakes when he came out for the second leg."
In the first leg of that encounter, Juventus were overrun, losing 2-0, in a game that could easily have finished 4-0. Atletico Madrid were ravenous. Diego Costa—who missed the second leg through suspension, which Juventus won 3-0 to proceed to the next round—bullied Juve's defence into submission. It was like he set a flame under the whole Atletico team.
Costa, 31, will be vital for Atletico's chances against Liverpool, but, as they say in Spain, the panther doesn't kill anymore. Since returning to play for the club—who he helped to win a historic league title in 2014 before moving to Chelsea, where he won another two championships—in January 2018, and having had to sit out several months because of a UEFA ban on Atleti registering players, Costa has only scored seven league goals.
Costa's second act with Atletico has been beset with a crisis of confidence—which has cost him his starting place—suspensions, including a hefty eight-game ban for getting sent off against Barcelona in a pivotal league game last spring, and a series of injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-1r6FFYJA
If he plays against Liverpool, it will be Costa's first game back since November, owing to a neck injury that required surgery.
Simeone—conscious that Costa is his embodiment on the pitch and is capable of one-off big performances like, for example, the four goals he rattled past Real Madrid's defence in a devastating hour's work last summer in New Jersey—is hoping he can get another big night out of him. The Liverpool match has been the only thing on Costa's mind.
"The club has been preparing Diego Costa for this match for the last three months," says Cazon. "He wasn't in the squad against Valencia [for Atletico's 2-2 draw in the league on Friday] because they want to keep him on ice for Liverpool. It is not the same Diego Costa who was at Chelsea, yeah. It is not the same Diego Costa who scored 27 goals to help Atletico win the league title in 2014, yeah, but it's still Diego Costa, man!
"His strength, his guts, is contagious. He's crazy to play this game. Simeone is putting all his chips on Costa, and Liverpool would be advised to recall what Diego Costa did to Juventus in the first leg of the corresponding fixture last season."
It is a shaky foundation—given Costa's lack of fitness—for Atletico to build their hopes on, but they have few other attacking options to look towards. Only Athletic Bilbao have scored fewer goals than Atletico Madrid, who sit in fourth place on goal difference, in the top half of the Spanish league table this season.
Atletico sorely miss the 30-odd goals a season Antoine Griezmann, who left for Barcelona last summer, guaranteed. Alvaro Morata is the club's top scorer this season, but he has only scored seven times in the league. Joao Felix—the club's most expensive signing in its history when he joined during the summer—has yet to catch fire and is also a fitness doubt for the Liverpool game.
Atletico Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Joao Felix (L) walks past Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone as he leaves the pitch after getting injured during the Spanish League football match between Atletico Madrid and Getafe at the Wanda Metro
"Joao Felix—whatever about the way 'Cholo' [Simeone] defends him in public—is not at the races," says Javier Najera, president of Atletica Barajas, an Atletico Madrid supporters' group.
"We've seen his quality in little drops, a few good dribbles, a few assists. A guy his age shouldn't have his poor physical conditioning, his lack of resistance. How is it possible that you can have a guy like Hector Herrera, who is about to turn 30, who can play Wednesdays and Sundays, and this Joao Felix, a 20-year-old, has nothing left in his boots in the 60th minute of every game?
"It's not disappointing—it's beyond that when you consider his transfer fee. Look at Real Madrid. They paid about €40 million each for Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo. It's a lot for their age, but it's an investment, and it's nothing compared to the €127 million we paid for Joao Felix, who could end up like Thomas Lemar, who we bought for €70 million and now we can't get half the price for him two years later."
Saul, an Atletico Madrid youth academy star who the club made one of their foundation stones when they tied him to a nine-year contract in 2017, has also been underperforming for the last couple of seasons and has dropped off the radar for recent Spain national squad selections.
"In terms of who is Atletico's most disappointing player this season, maybe it's Saul," says Euan McTear, author of Hijacking La Liga: How Atletico Madrid Broke Barcelona and Real Madrid's Duopoly on Spanish Football. "Saul has been so consistent for so long. He's the player who has played the most minutes of any player from any team in La Liga this season.
"He's been fine. He hasn't been bad but he's never taken the step forward we expected, the way we thought he would a few years ago when, for example, he scored that goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final in 2016. It was expected by this point that he would be an absolute leader for the team—and one of the top players in Spain—but he's never really kicked on."
In a year of transition, Atletico—who remarkably have a higher wage bill than Liverpool—lost several legendary players last summer, including Griezmann, team captain Diego Godin, Juanfran and Felipe Luis, as well as Rodri and Lucas Hernandez. Their replacements have yet to impress, with the exception perhaps of Kieran Trippier, who will likely miss the Liverpool game through injury, and central defender Felipe, a 30-year-old signing from Porto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dPgXJFCNBY
The difficulty Renan Lodi—a 21-year-old recruit from Brazil—is having tying down the left flank of Atletico's defence is a grave concern, especially given 37 per cent of Liverpool's goals in the Premier League this season come from that zone of the pitch where Salah likes to wreak havoc.
In 29 games, Lodi has been withdrawn 10 times by Simeone. And there is no natural replacement for him; Saul, for example, had to slot in for Lodi when he was withdrawn early in the second half against Valencia on Friday. It is one of several headaches Simeone has to contend with, along with the whistling Simeone has been receiving from Atletico's fans for the first time in his nine-season reign as manager of Atletico.
"When Atletico were in a recent poor run of form after the Spanish Super Cup final defeat in January, with no wins in five games—which they got out of with a win against Granada—there were some fans chanting at the Wanda during a game, 'Ole, ole, ole, Cholo Simeone!,' but there were some whistles, too," says McTear.
"The fanbase is a bit divided on the Simeone question, but when it comes to a game like this against Liverpool, I don't think there is anyone else you'd want to be geeing the players up in the dressing room more than Simeone. He's done it before so many times. So many of Atletico's best performances have been in the Champions League, even look at the 2-0 versus Juventus last season at home. Simeone can squeeze it out of them."
The odds over two legs are stacked against them. Najera,like manyAtleticofans, is worried about the return game at Anfield, but at home, Atletico are almost impregnable: In 33 UEFA Champions League games under Simeone, Atletico have only lost twice, both times in pool games. Simeone will hope Liverpool are met with a wall of sound tomorrow night.
"The Wanda has the same roar as Atletico's old stadium, the Vicente Calderon," says Cazon. "It's a stadium that acoustically can be a bit poor sometimes, but it has one thing that is very favourable, the bouncing sound you get on the pitch is like a pressure cooker—it can be very disorientating for the footballers. It's going to be Simeone's biggest challenge this season, but he's faced bigger challenges before."
Saul Niguez Says Atletico Madrid 'Can Hurt Liverpool' in UCL Despite Poor Form
Feb 17, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 8: Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Granada at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 8, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez is determined to cause an upset against UEFA Champions League title-holders Liverpool and said his side "can hurt" the Reds ahead of their round-of-16 first leg on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone's side welcome Liverpool to the Wanda Metropolitano, the same venue where the Merseysiders defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in June 2019 to lift their sixth overall European title.
Jurgen Klopp's men will be favourites in Madrid following Atleti's run of one win in their last seven games, but Saul said his team can surprise the bookmakers and get fans back on their side, per the Guardian's Sid Lowe:
"There's no memory in football: What you did yesterday is no use. We had a good run before Christmas then we fell away and it was hard. People wanted to kill us. Do I think it's unfair? Honestly, yes. But it's life. People whistle Cholo [Atletico manager Simeone], important players; the fans are demanding. If we win two or three games, it'll change again. We know how we can hurt Liverpool, their strengths and weaknesses, and we always compete against big teams. We have to make the most of the home game. There will be an incredible atmosphere, more than ever."
The Spain international, 25, praised the Reds for their style of play, particularly for their work without the ball when they "press like animals."
Liverpool have taken 103 points from their last possible 105 in the Premier League, having not suffered a top-flight defeat since they fell 2-1 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in January 2019.
Sadio Mane struck in the 78th minute to snatch the only goal and clinch their 17th successive league victory in dramatic circumstances at Norwich City on Saturday:
That ball from Hendo 🤤 That touch and finish from Mane 😍
Saul said he watched the game at Carrow Road and found fault in Liverpool's performance, the slightest fragility that his Atletico side could capitalise upon more effectively than the Canaries, perhaps:
"Liverpool are very complete, a great team in every area [but] they find it hardest when you're deep because they're very, very, very good in transition. I watched them against Norwich, and if it wasn't for Mane's extraordinary control, they don't win. They've won lots of games they could have drawn or lost, which tells you something about what they have inside. It's not luck. It's work, sacrifice, not giving up a single ball for lost."
It's precisely that hunger that has helped Liverpool establish a 25-point lead at the pinnacle of the Premier League, although second-place Manchester City have one game in hand against their peers.
Klopp said prior to the Norwich win that his focus remained fixed on the Premier League, a dedication to his craft that helped his side continue their remarkable streak, per the Liverpool Echo's Paul Gorst:
Klopp on CL game: "Sometimes when you aren't in a good moment, CL can be a holiday. We are not in that situation. We have one of the most difficult teams to play in Atletico but it is not my problem in the moment. From Monday we will be in a CL mode, if you like"
Many players might understandably feel dejected being drawn against Liverpool in the knockout stages. However, Saul is motivated to accomplish what many have failed to do this season, and when asked how to combat statistics like Liverpool's, he replied: "You break them."
Liverpool posted footage of Monday's training session at Melwood ahead of their first-leg meeting with Los Rojiblancos:
Atletico sit fourth in La Liga after they drew 2-2 away to Valencia on Friday. Getafe sit above Simeone's men in third, while Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal are among the teams also jostling for Champions League qualification.
A win over the defending kings of Europe would go a long way to restoring faith in an Atletico lineup that's stuttered this season.
Edinson Cavani's Mother Tells Atletico Madrid President to Apologise
Feb 4, 2020
Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani is seen ahead of the French L1 football match between Nantes (FCNA) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on February 4, 2020 at La Baujeoire stadium in Nantes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Edinson Cavani won't join Atletico Madrid next summer unless the club's president apologises for comments he made about the striker's collapsed move from Paris Saint-Germain during the winter window.
Cavani's mother, Berta Gomez, has emphasised how much her son would love to play for Atleti. However, Gomez has also called for Enrique Cerezo to make amends for hinting financial demands of the people around Cavani scuppered things in January.
Gomez spoke to AS (h/t Alex Milne of the Daily Mirror):
"It's not impossible that Edinson could go to Atletico Madrid in the summer, as long as the president rectifies what he said. The president of Atletico must apologise. We are not spiteful and everything can be fixed if he retracts what he said. My son is going to have offers, it is unquestionable because he is a proven forward, as he has shown in all these years.
"But he keeps thinking about being able to go to Atletico because he would like to play under Cholo (Simeone)."
The conflict stems from Cerezo explaining why Atleti couldn't complete Cavani's signing, per Milne: "I don't want to point anyone out, but I think it's a shame about the situation of some players with their relatives and their representatives. It's outrageous. We're not here to be robbed or do anything strange."
Atletico's keenness to acquire Cavani this winter has been well-documented. The club has a proud tradition of featuring consistent goalscorers from Uruguay:
🇦🇷 Sergio Agüero • 234 games • 102 goals
🇺🇾 Diego Forlán • 196 games • 96 goals
🇨🇴 Radamel Falcao • 91 games • 70 goals
We will have to wait until the summer to see if Edinson Cavani is the man to continue Atleti's tradition. 🌎🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/StIj2ojspw
In December there were reports Cavani had already agreed a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 giants. However, L'Equipe (h/t MailOnline's Ben Nagle) reported on Thursday how Atleti weren't able to afford the package needed to secure Cavani's signature.
The recriminations in the aftermath of this deal going through have been fractious, but there is ample reason for Atletico to pursue the signing again during the summer. Cavani would have made a major impact during the second half of this season for a team lacking consistency at centre-forward.
Alvaro Morata remains inconsistent in front of goal, finding the net just seven times in La Liga. The Chelsea loanee left Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid with a muscle injury, joining fellow attackers Diego Costa and Joao Felix on the treatment table, per Marca (h/t Football Espana's Colin Millar).
Morata has had issues, but he's still Atleti's leading scorer. The closest contender is Angel Correa with a mere five goals, according to TalkSport's Billy Hawkins.
It hasn't helped Felix has struggled to adapt since arriving from Benfica in a deal worth €120 million last summer. Ex-Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has named Atleti boss Diego Simeone as a culprit in wasting the talents of Felix:
Cavani, the man who overtook Zlatan Ibrahimovic as PSG's record goalscorer, would add the firepower Simeone's squad needs. Yet despite his ruthless efficiency when taking chances, Cavani has often been overlooked by Thomas Tuchel this season, making just four starts in the French top flight.
Tuchel has instead chosen to make Kylian Mbappe and Neymar the central attractions in the final third. Issues with both of PSG's star names could see Cavani play a bigger role during the second half of the campaign, though.
Mbappe reacted angrily when substituted during Saturday's 5-0 win over Montpellier.
"It doesn't look good, but we are not the only club where players react like that"
Kylian Mbappe didn't like being subbed last night... and Thomas Tuchel didn't like Kylian Mbappe not liking being subbed.
The subsequent spat has intensified rumours Mbappe will leave the Parc des Princes. Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sam Blitz of MailOnline) has reported Real are ready to make a world-record bid this summer.
Meanwhile, Neymar was booked for trying an outlandish flick past a defender against Montpellier. The decision incensed the Brazilian, but Tuchel was left unimpressed by Neymar missing Tuesday's 2-1 win over Nantes to host his birthday party, per Daniel Blackham of the Daily Express.
Injured on his birthday for the third year in a row, Neymar has the worst luck 🤕🥳 pic.twitter.com/8or8sOjj9r
Cavani's contract is up this summer, but the 32-year-old still has a key role to play for PSG. More playing time will yield more goals and keep Atletico keen. While he's older than Costa and Morata, Cavani's aerial power, intelligent movement and sense of timing make him the perfect fit for Simeone's pragmatic team.
Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier Undergoes Groin Op, Doubtful for Liverpool
Feb 4, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Kieran Trippier of Club Atletico de Madrid looks on prior the game during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and CD Leganes at Wanda Metropolitano on January 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier has undergone surgery on a groin issue that has kept him out of action since the Spanish Super Cup in January.
He has missed Atleti's last three La Liga games, from which they have earned just one point, as well as their shock extra-time loss to third-tier side Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey.
After successful surgery, though, the Englishman could be back fit again before the end of the month:
Successful surgery on a long-standing nerve issue, which should not keep Trippier out long. He's not yet been ruled out of #Liverpool#LiverpoolFC CL tie on Feb 18
Trippier, 29, has been a key part of Diego Simeone's side in 2019-20 following his £20 million summer move to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium from Tottenham Hotspur.
In the first half of the season, he started 15 of Atletico's 19 matches, providing three assists.
The England international's consistency since his move to Spain has made Spurs' decision to sell him look hasty at best:
Also Trippier starts the Super Cup final with a chance to win his 1st trophy since FA Youth Cup in 2008 with Man City. Know it’s “only” Super Cup but you look where he is and where Spurs are right now, and it’s looking like a pretty decent move last summer.
Simeone will be eager to see Trippier return to action as soon as possible given the Madrid outfit cannot afford many more dropped points and his replacement Sime Vrsaljko hasn't shown the same consistency in his Atleti career.
Equally, the UEFA Champions League is set to resume soon, and Atleti host defending champions Liverpool in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 18.
If Trippier is not fit enough for that match, he should be back at 100 per cent for the return leg at Anfield on March 11, assuming there are no setbacks in his recovery.
Enrique Cerezo on Failed Edinson Cavani, Atletico Madrid Move: 'It's Outrageous'
Feb 1, 2020
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 12: Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint Germain during the French League 1 match between Paris Saint Germain v AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on January 12, 2020 in Paris France (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has given insight into the club's failed move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani in January.
According to Pablo Planas of Mundo Deportivo (h/t Goal), the deal fell through after Walter Fernando, Cavani's brother and representative, demanded an €18 million (£15 million) agent's fee from the Spanish club.
Cerezo spoke to Movistar Futbol (h/t Goal) on Saturday after Los Rojiblancos' 1-0 loss to Real Madrid:
"Someday I will tell why Cavani did not come and they will prove me right.
"I don't want to point anyone out, but I think it's a shame about the situation of some players with their relatives and their representatives. It's outrageous. We're not here to be robbed or do anything strange."
PSG are said to have turned down a €10 million (£8 million) bid for the Uruguayan, who will be out of contract in the summer, but Atleti did not return with a follow-up as expected after the reported demand by Fernando.
Atletico have scored just 22 goals in as many La Liga matches this season, so they could have done with more firepower this winter.
Joao Felix, 20, has scored just four times in all competitions since he replaced Antoine Griezmann last summer in a €126 million (£113 million) move, while Diego Costa has scored just 14 goals since his return to the club in January 2018, having been plagued by injury and suspension.
To make matters worse, Alvaro Morata, who has scored 10 goals this season, limped out of Saturday's Madrid derby, per AS' Robbie Dunne:
A horrible end to the transfer window where Atlético tried and tried and tried for Cavani. Morata gets injured and Correa is playing as the number nine.
Manager Diego Simeone's comments afterward suggested the Spaniard may not be a long-term absentee, though:
If Morata injured, doesn't seem like it will be serious. Although Simeone caution an indication of his prioritites...
Simeone: "Alvaro came off because he took a big hit to his leg. He didn't know if it was injury or just a blow but he was having difficulty so I took him off."
Nevertheless, a prolific, hardworking forward like Cavani would have been an outstanding short-term asset and a fine fit at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium under Simeone.
Football author Colin Millar was disappointed Cavani didn't move in January:
Feels like a real shame that Edinson Cavani - 290 goals in last nine seasons, and 114 in his last three (averaging 38 per campaign) - is now 32 and being kept by PSG as a fourth-choice striker. Would instantly improve almost any team. https://t.co/L6dzDPxYiG
Between injury issues and Mauro Icardi's arrival on loan from Inter Milan, Cavani has made just 15 appearances for PSG this season, only six of which are starts.
He'll be 33 on February 14, though. The reported agent's fee—which would likely have exceeded his transfer fee—would have turned his transfer from a shrewd, low-risk move into a costly exercise for an ageing star who is likely nearing the end of his time at the top level.
Atletico Madrid Chief Says Thomas Lemar 'Is Not for Sale' amid Arsenal Rumours
Jan 28, 2020
SEVILLE, SPAIN - DECEMBER 23: Thomas Lemar of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Benito Villamarin on December 23, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid chief executive Gil Marin has said Thomas Lemar is "not for sale" amid reports of interest from Premier League side Arsenal.
Marin also told Goal and Spox that "there is no way" the 24-year-old "can change" clubs before the transfer window closes at the end of Friday.
Lemar moved to Atletico Madrid in 2018 from French club Monaco and has struggled to impress under Diego Simeone in La Liga. The manager told reporters at the start of January that Lemar "hasn't been able to live up to expectations" at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
The midfielder has only started nine La Liga games for Atletico in 2019-20 and has yet to provide a goal or an assist for the Rojiblancos, who have struggled in attack this season.
Arsenal reportedly had an offer for Lemar turned down by Monaco before he joined Atletico, and his struggles have brought renewed speculation the Gunners could renew their interest.
RMC have reported that the Gunners have been in touch with Atletico and Lemar regarding a deal, per Get French Football News:
Breaking | Arsenal, Atletico Madrid & Thomas Lemar are all in contact about a possible deal, but an agreement is nowhere near, according to RMC. More follows.
Tottenham Hotspur were offered the chance to sign Lemar on loan with a "with a €60 million option-to-buy" at the start of January, according to Tom Kershaw at The Independent.
The France international has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich by German newspaper Bild (h/t Will Griffee for MailOnline).
Marca(h/tSport Witness) have reported that Atletico need to trim their wage bill if they are to make signings in January, with Lemar being chosen to make way.
Atletico, fifth in the La Liga table, are expected to strengthen their attack in January by signing Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint-Germain:
Le Parisien believe that Edinson Cavani's move to Atletico Madrid will be done this month & report that PSG intend to sign Fernando Llorente to replace him https://t.co/2wP76mxen0
Marin's comments suggest Lemar will see out the season with Atletico, although if his struggles at the club continue, it's likely he could be on the lookout for a new club in the summer.
