Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid defender has signed a one-year extension – report
Much has been made of Felipe’s future at Atletico Madrid over the past few months. The veteran’s current contract at Wanda Metropolitano expires at the end of the season, with many clubs including Sevilla interested in his services.
Atleti were rumoured to be in negotiation with Felipe over a contract extension. But there were noticeable disagreements over the exact terms of the new deal and an apparent lack of progress.
However, according to a report from MARCA, it appears Atletico Madrid have finally reached an agreement with the veteran Brazilian. The defender is set to pen a one-year extension that will keep him in the Spanish capital until 2023.
Formerly of Corinthians, Felipe had arrived at Atletico Madrid back in 2019. He was brought in to replace the legendary Diego Godin and after an excellent debut season, many were certain of his success at Wanda Metropolitano in the coming years.
Unfortunately, Felipe has struggled to keep up his momentum and form in the past couple of years. He has lacked consistency and has made occasional individual errors that have cost his team dearly.
But it appears Diego Simeone wants to continue counting on him as he is well aware of the Brazilian’s skillset and the experience he offers to the table.
Atletico Madrid were initially hoping to offer Felipe a two-year contract. But due to a lack of progress in negotiations, coupled with uncertainty from the club and the player, the two parties agreed a one-year extension.
Felipe’s contract extension will help Simeone retain his side’s depth in the defensive unit. However, following an indifferent campaign, the Argentine tactician will be hoping to make a few quality signings in the summer, especially in the right-back department, having lost Kieran Trippier to Newcastle United in January.
It will be equally interesting to see if Felipe can establish himself as a first-team regular next season and earn another contract extension before the end of next season.
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.
