Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid could accept a loan offer from Man United for Spanish forward
Just over 48 hours remain for Atletico Madrid to get their La Liga campaign underway for the new season. Yet, significant doubts remain around the futures of some of their key players.
One such case is that of Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard seemed set to play for Atletico Madrid after resolving his feud with Diego Simeone and completing a successful loan at Juventus. However, the situation seems to have changed in recent days.
According to reports from The Athletic, there is a serious possibility that Morata could sign for Manchester United in the coming days. The two clubs have already been in contact and the transfer could involve a fee of around €35 million.
Los Rojiblancos may accept a move to Old Trafford on loan for their striker. The burden of his wages in such a scenario would fall on the Premier League side’s shoulders.
Morata is no stranger to the English league, having played for Chelsea from 2017 to 2019. In two league seasons for the London-based side, he scored 16 goals and provided six assists.
Last season, he performed at a very high level for Juventus, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 35 Serie A appearances. While the Bianconeri were interested in extending his loan, Atletico Madrid refused to negotiate.
Atletico Madrid have just Morata and Matheus Cunha as natural no. 9s in their squad, and the former is expected to take priority given his exceptional pre-season. That said, Atleti are deprived of money, and he could be allowed to leave.
However, the same cannot be said if he moves to Manchester. If Cristiano Ronaldo does not leave the club, the Portuguese international could well be ahead of the Spaniard in the pecking order.
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.
