Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid kit numbers for 2022-23 released
A new season represents a new beginning in many ways. Not only does it provide a chance for players to make a fresh start but also brings with it an annual chance to change their kit numbers.
Earlier today, Atletico Madrid announced the official jersey numbers for the coming season (h/t Atletico Universe).
Needless to say, there are pleasant surprises on the awaited list. To begin with, players who returned from loan spells have chosen the numbers they wish to don for the coming season.
Alvaro Morata, who completed his two-year loan at Juventus, opted to choose number 19. However, the Spaniard’s future is still in the air and it seems unlikely that he will be a Rojiblanco at the end of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Saul Niguez picked the number 17. It does not come as a surprise as the midfielder donned the same kit in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Coming off a year-long loan spell at Chelsea, he will look to break his way into Diego Simeone’s starting XI again.
Matheus Cunha, who wore the #19 last season has now changed his number and taken the prestigious #9. This is a big hint as to his role in the upcoming season for the Brazilian could well be the default striker for Los Rojiblancos.
New signing Samuel Lino has been handed jersey #16, while Axel Witsel will have #20 on his back. As it stands, only kit #25 is vacant at Atletico Madrid and could well be Nahuel Molina’s when his signing is announced.
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.
