Atletico Madrid News
Samuel Lino talks Valencia loan, Atletico Madrid return, Gattuso, Simeone, Barcelona clash
As Samuel Lino joined Atletico Madrid this summer, there was plenty of excitement around his arrival. But soon after his arrival, the young forward was sent out on loan to fellow La Liga club Valencia.
Having joined Los Che, the Brazilian winger has emerged as somewhat of a revelation in the early parts of the 2022/23 campaign.
The 22-year-old touched on his start to life at the Mestalla and whether he aims to break into the Atleti first team soon in an interview with MARCA.
On being an undisputed starter at Valencia: “I always appreciate the coach’s confidence in my work. I don’t have much to say, I’m very happy and I want to continue playing all the games. I hope the coach gives me continuity.”
On Gennaro Gattuso and Diego Simeone: “The coach is not much for praising players because he wants you to continue working. He talks about how we play and do things in games. He is always talking and motivating us to make us better, that has helped me a lot. With Simeone, I said goodbye to him and each of us followed our ways.”
On whether he would be happy to stay on loan at Valencia or return to Atletico Madrid: “It is a very difficult question because they are two great clubs. I am focused on the present, here at Valencia. I have a contract with Atlético but my heart only thinks about Valencia, about playing. At Atletico we will think about it later, I want to be focused and have a good season.”
On whether he would like to continue playing for Valencia next season: “I want to play for Valencia until the end of the season, no one has talked to me about this because the season started recently. Now I’m thinking about Valencia, we’ll talk about the future later.”
On his instant adaptation to Spanish football: “La Liga is a little different. There is a lot of intensity here, we have to be faster and think better, it is intense football and of higher quality. Portugal has very good football that prepares you for other leagues in Europe. This change was very good. And, it has helped me a lot.”
On being a part of a young dressing room: “Our dressing room is very good, we have a lot of friendship, we are united in good and bad times. It’s football, we can beat Barça and leave all this behind. We have a strong mentality.”
On reaching team targets before thinking of European football “In the locker room we talk about the same as the coach, the goal is to get 40 points and then we talk about Europe and other things. We have to get 40 points as fast as possible and then we’ll see what we do.”
On scoring goals: “I hope to score as many as last year, now I haven’t scored many but I have a very strong mentality to have a great season. When I finish, I hope to have 14 goals or more, I’m not thinking about one goal but about scoring in every game.”
On Valencia’s second-half display against Sevilla: “In the second half, we dropped a bit. The coach talks with us to improve, have a strong mentality, we have to play well in all 90 games. We’re going to have a great game against Barça.”
On Barcelona being in form ahead of the upcoming league clash: ”It is a delicate moment, there are two draws and one defeat, but we will go out to win. They are one of the best teams in the world but we also have very good players here. It is going to be a great game; we are going to fight and when the game is over we will know.”
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid ‘want to fight’ for the signing of €40m Barcelona midfield target
Atletico Madrid are interested in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and want to fight for his signing in the summer, according to a report from Javi Gomara of Mundo Deportivo. The 26-year-old is also a transfer target for FC Barcelona and several clubs in the Premier League.
Amrabat burst into the limelight after enjoying a stunning run at the FIFA World Cup 2022, during which he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals. The midfielder was heavily linked with an exit in January, with Barcelona, Atletico and several other clubs linked.
However, a move did not materialise and he remained at Fiorentina. However, with his contract expiring next year, the Moroccan international could be on his way out in the summer, even though the Italian outfit are trying to tie him down with a new contract.
And, as per the report, Atletico Madrid are ready to fight for his signing in the summer. The report states that Amrabat is a player that is very well-liked by the Rojiblancos and would be an important cog in Diego Simeone’s side if they sign him.
Amrabat will be playing at the Civitas Metropolitano tonight, with Atletico’s home ground hosting a friendly between Morocco and Peru. And the Colchoneros dream of making the stadium the 26-year-old’s permanent home from next season.
The report adds that the Moroccan international himself would be ‘delighted’ to join the club. After all, he did speak highly of Simeone and Atleti during the World Cup, when he said:
“He has coached Atletico Madrid for many years. I like his style of play. He has won a lot and I have a lot of respect for him. The players in his team are physically strong and aggressive. I like to play that way.”
Atletico Madrid have been linked with Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos, but hold no interest in him. Instead, they wish to sign a player of Amrabat’s profile and quality. However, the 26-year-old will not come cheap as Fiorentina will demand a €40 million fee for him.
Beyond that, the interest of Barcelona and other clubs in the Premier League would also be a roadblock for the Spanish capital club.
