Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid willing to sign Bayern Munich midfielder – report
Barcelona and Real Madrid’s transfer plans are no secret heading into the June transfer window. Los Blancos eye Kylian Mbappe, while the Blaugranas seem determined to sign a new striker and reinforce the centre-back and left-back positions.
However, Atletico Madrid’s plans are not clear. Los Rojiblancos have been linked with a plethora of players of different profiles. Yet, no link has been strong enough so as to consider the interest genuine.
According to reports from the reliable Christian Falk (h/t Atleti Francia), the Madrid-based club currently eye Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer as a possible signing in the summer.
The Austrian international plays as an attacking midfielder. Though he prefers to be deployed on the left side of midfield, Sabitzer is dynamic enough to adapt to a central role as well.
This season, the 28-year-old had started only seven league games for Bayern Munich despite appearing in 24. He has played an average of just 37 minutes per league game.
In his 900 minutes, the Austrian has scored one goal, created four big chances, and missed two. However, what could make him a misfit for Simeone’s system is the fact that Sabitzer’s defensive contribution is very minimal, a crime in Atletico Madrid’s philosophy.
Bayern Munich are said to be demanding €15 million for Sabitzer’s transfer. While the fee is not a problem for Los Rojiblancos, they will have to reinvestigate his profile and ensure that the player will fit into the team.
Moreover, the club will have to finalize some departures in the attacking department before signing the Austrian.
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.
