Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan make contacts to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender
Atletico Madrid are known to be one of the most solid clubs defensively. Two seasons ago, finding a way past the Rojiblancos‘ backline was a task that even Europe’s elite dreaded. However, that situation has changed quickly.
This season, Diego Simeone’s side have been extremely poor at defending their goal. In 27 La Liga games this season, the team have conceded 35 goals and maintained only three clean sheets. Needless to say, one of the main objectives heading into the summer transfer window is to strengthen the back-line.
At right-back, Simeone currently has two options — Sime Vrsaljko and Daniel Wass. The former is not part of the starting puzzle at Atleti, while the latter picked up a long-term injury as soon as he arrived.
Marcos Llorente and Yannick Carrasco are two of the players that filled in that role, primarily as wing-backs.
According to reports from MARCA, Atletico Madrid have entered negotiations to sign Emerson Royal from Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian made the move to London this summer but has not been able to find his footing under Antonio Conte.
Emerson’s experience in La Liga is what Simeone’s side see as a major benefit in his signing. The defender has played for both Barcelona and Real Betis and would welcome a move back to Spain.
Inter Milan are also interested in signing him, but the player prefers a move back to Spain rather than Italy.
Emerson was signed in a joint purchase by Barcelona and Real Betis in the winter of 2019. After playing for two seasons at Los Verdiblancos, he made a short move to Barcelona before heading to London.
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.
