Atletico Madrid News
22-year-old French midfielder chooses Atletico Madrid as his next club
The biggest change at Atletico Madrid this season is their relative instability in midfield. Los Rojiblancos have been known for their resilient and leak-proof midfield for years now. Yet, they have conceded 36 goals in just 29 games this season.
Koke is the heart and soul of Diego Simeone’s system. However, the veteran is now 30 years of age and cannot churn out elite performances with the same consistency. Needless to say, bringing in a young reinforcement for the defensive midfield is the need of the hour.
One player who claims to have the right profile to succeed at the pivot position is Boubacar Kamara. According to reports from le10sport, the Marseille player has chosen Atletico Madrid as his next club.
Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona were just some of the many European giants lining up to sign the youngster. However, Kamara sees Diego Simeone as the perfect manager to take his game to the next level.
In 25 league appearances so far, the youngster has scored one goal and is yet to provide an assist. However, it is his solidity in defence that draws the eye.
Kamara averages 1.2 interceptions, five duels won, a clearance and two tackles per game. Moreover, his decision making and passing range are immaculate.
The soon to be free agent was one of Barcelona’s primary transfer targets for next season. However, the inevitable arrival of Kessie means that the midfield is no longer the priority. The Catalans are not expected to push for Kamara’s signature and will look to strengthen the defence instead.
The 22-year-old will arrive on a free transfer after his current contract runs down on June 30th. Atletico Madrid cannot offer the same wages as some of the other parties interested. Now it remains to be seen if he prioritizes the manger or the money on offer elsewhere.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
