Atletico Madrid News
Official: Atletico Madrid’s fixture schedule for the Champions League group stage
Atletico Madrid will kick off their UEFA Champions League group stages in less than two weeks. The Rojiblancos learnt their fate in the draw this past Thursday, as they were paired up with FC Porto, Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge in Group B.
And, now they have been made aware of their fixture schedule for the group stages of Europe’s premier continental competition.
Diego Simeone’s side will kick off the group stage with a home game against FC Porto on September 7, in what would be a feisty clash between two strong teams at the Civitas Metropolitano.
Los Rojiblancos’ next assignment in Europe will take them to Germany, where they will face off against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on September 13, which will come only days before the derby against Real Madrid.
Players will then fly away on the international break before returning early in October. And Atletico’s first European fixture post the break will be against Club Brugge away in Belgium on October 4.
They host the same opposition back at the Metropolitano on October 12 before locking horns with Bayer Leverkusen on October 26 once again on their home turf.
Los Colchoneros will end their group stage assignments in the Champions League with a trip to Portugal to face FC Porto on November 1.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
