Atletico Madrid News
Manchester City interested in 24-year-old Atletico Madrid defender
The arrival of Reinildo Mandava at Atletico Madrid in the last winter transfer window provided Diego Simeone with a new option at left-back. The Mozambique international initially played as a backup to Renan Lodi, but eventually stole the limelight.
As the season progressed, Lodi’s importance in the team reduced. The manager tried various formulae to integrate the Brazilian as a midfielder, but none clicked in the long term.
And he could now be on his way out as, according to reports from The Telegraph, Manchester City are interested in signing the Lodi from Atletico Madrid.
This is not the first the Premier League champions have been interested in Lodi, for it was reported that the club made a staggering €50 million offer for the 24-year-old Brazilian in 2020.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s move to Arsenal has now once again opened up a vacancy in the Man City squad at left-back. Pep Guardiola sees the Atletico Madrid full-back as the ideal replacement for the departed Ukrainian.
If Lodi’s primary concern in Madrid is lack of playing time, a move to City may not be the right solution. The Premier League champions have a world-class operator in Joao Cancelo, who has excelled at left-back despite being a right-back, and displacing him would be close to impossible.
Lodi’s contract at Wanda Metropolitano sees him at the club until the summer of 2025. Three years remain on his deal and Atletico Madrid are under no pressure to sell him.
Last season, the Brazilian made 29 league appearances for the Atleti scoring two goals and providing two assists. However, he only started 13 of those 29 appearances.
Atletico Madrid News
UEFA open investigation against multiple Real Madrid players over celebration vs Atletico
More than two weeks after Real Madrid’s controversial win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16, UEFA has sent quite the shockwave to the defending European champions.
In a recent statement, UEFA has announced they have started an open investigation against a series of Real Madrid players for the way they celebrated after winning against Atletico Madrid, about two weeks back.
What is the investigation about?
As reported by MARCA, the European governing body is specifically looking into the actions of Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos, and Vinicius Jr.
The controversy stems from Real Madrid’s celebrations after knocking out city rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The celebrations took place near the section of the stadium occupied by Real Madrid supporters, but some actions by the players have drawn scrutiny.
“A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Daniel Ceballos Fernandez and Vinicius Junior) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on 12 March 2025,” UEFA said in an official statement.
Rudiger is being investigated for a gesture in which he placed his hand around his neck, while Mbappe reportedly made an inappropriate gesture by touching his genitals.
Vinicius, on the other hand, was involved in heated interactions with Atletico fans both before and after the match, while Ceballos was seen enthusiastically joining the celebrations.
The celebrations from Real Madrid players drew hostility from Atletico Madrid fans for obvious reasons, with the opposition fans resorting to throwing bottles on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham was even among the ones hit by these throwing objects from Atleti fans while Vinicius pointed to the Real Madrid crest on his shirt, which might have played a role in further fuming tension.
Rodrygo, on the other hand, responded to the hostility from Atleti fans by dancing inside the pitch.
UEFA has appointed an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to review the incidents, although it is very much likely that Real Madrid would appeal against any sanctions placed on the event of any breach.
