Atletico Madrid News
Simeone talks Joao Felix, Barrios, Griezmann after Cadiz 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid were expected to cruise to victory against a struggling Cadiz side but were in for an unpleasant surprise at Ramon de Carranza. Sergio’s men put up a valiant show with a never-say-never attitude and blew away the Colchoneros to take all three points on the day.
After going 2-0 up in the 81st minute, Cadiz conceded two goals in a span of four minutes. Just as Joao Felix seemed to have saved his team a point, Ruben Sobrino struck with the final kick of the game late in stoppage time to snatch the win.
An unhappy Diego Simeone faced the press after his men’s defeat and spoke about the team’s performance and mental state amongst other topics. Here are the key takeaways from his press conference.
On how his team started the game: “We started rusty after the blow the other day [draw vs Leverkusen], then received another one [Cadiz’s first minute goal]. From then on we had a good first half, we had goal situations to convert, we were not successful in front of goal to have that forcefulness that we creates peace of mind.”
On the second half: “As the second half advanced, we moved away from the result because the 2-0 put a difficult distance in the game. Nevertheless, the changes were important.”
On the positive substitutions: “Barrios, in his debut, has done so with a lot of personality. Joao’s entry, who has played as we need him to play and Griezmann’s entry that gave the attack a little more calm were also key.”
On their missed win: “We got into the game 2-1, Joao’s great goal appeared and we are at a time when things are not coming our way because Joao’s header with the possibility of scoring the third and in the final play end up making us 3-2.”
On the team’s mentality: “Like in moments of joy, in moments when things go well we are strong, now that the most favorable situations are not on our side, we are strong in the same way.”
On Joao Felix’s performance: “Joao came in to do what he knows how to do, he did it very well, he scored a lucky goal but with the initiative to generate danger, he was the most dangerous of the forwards that were in the short time he entered.
“He scored a great goal, the second is a great goal. Hopefully he can keep that because in reality that is the player we all want.”
On what his men needed to improve: “We have to adjust a bit that desire we have to want to win and many times we end up rushing.”
Source: DAZN
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid monitoring teenage striker with €40 million release clause – Romano
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring the progress of UD Almeria striker Marciano Sanca.
The 19-year-old Guinea-Bissau forward joined Almeria from Portuguese outfit Leixoes in January last year, linking up with the club’s B team.
Marciano has made three league appearances Almeria’s reserve team and has not scored a goal yet. The teenager has been training with the first-team setup regularly and Romano claims that he is close to making his debut in La Liga.
While he might not have made a splash at the senior level yet, Marciano seems to be already gathering admirers with Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Brighton & Hove Albion said to be tracking the youngster.
Los Rojiblancos are set to enter the market for a new centre-forward as Joao Felix is expected to be sold permanently while Alvaro Morata’s future is also not entirely certain.
So even though Diego Simeone has Memphis Depay, Angel Correa, and Morata at his disposal, Atletico Madrid will dive into the market for a new striker with there being links to Mateo Retegui of Boca Juniors, currently on loan at Tigre.
Now, Marciano has also emerged as a potential target or Atletico Madrid, although signing him will not be easy in the summer.
Even though the 19-year-old’s contract expires in 2024, he is bound by a release clause worth €40 million and Almeria intend to keep him at the club beyond this season.
So, the La Liga club might hold out for the entire release clause amount in order to stave off potential suitors like Atletico Madrid, who are not in a position to make such an investment on an unproven youngster.
