Atletico Madrid News
Two Turkish giants planning Bosman move for Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez
When Atletico Madrid won the La Liga title last season, one man was at the fore of it all — Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan international scored the all-important goal for Los Rojiblancos against Real Valladolid, hence clinching the title.
However, his importance in the team has seen a steep decline this season. He has only started 18 La Liga games for his side this season, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists.
Moreover, the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the resurgence of Angel Correa has seen his role reduced.
Given Suarez’s slow but sure decline, talks about a possible move away from Spain have begun. According to reports from Diario AS, the Uruguayan could well be on his way to a spell in Turkey.
Besiktas and Fenerbahce have already contacted the player’s environment and expressed their interest in signing the star striker. Given that his contract ends in June, he can sign for any club as a free agent in the summer.
Diego Simeone is not expected to oppose the player’s departure, for he has better options to deploy in the attack.
The manager did not even bring Suarez off the bench in the all-important game against Manchester City last week, opting for the likes of Joao Feliz, Antoine Griezmann and Matheus Cunha ahead of the former Barcelona legend.
Suarez is expected to end his career with a spell in the MLS. However, it is now increasingly likely that he will have a short stint in Turkey before he closes curtains on what has been a phenomenal career.
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.
