Friday, May 18th, 2012
We start the second half of our team by team preview of the coming La Liga season by looking at Atlético Madrid. As with all matters on the rojiblancos, we’ve turned to the boys at the excellent Madrid Atléticos for help.
This year there has been more despair than excitement for fans of Atlético de Madrid. Every summer rumours of Atlético players leaving are numerous. For the last 5 years, stories of Kun Agüero and Forlán leaving go hand in hand with Spanish Sangría but the players always stayed. This year would be different: the players left!
All season there were rumours and stories that David De Gea would be leaving the club. Probably the worst kept secret in Spain. Even still, some Atlético fans were hoping that our young shot stopper might stay but after the U21 European Championships all was confirmed and David was on his way to Manchester.
While De Gea’s transfer was expected, no one foresaw the circumstances that would see Kun Agüero leave the club. Now widely known, Kun wanted to leave in January and rumours of a deal with Real Madrid seem to have had some grain of truth. Kun signed a new contract but only so Atlético could get a good price for him, a sentiment that has been lost on most Atleti fans. The whole saga dragged out while Agüero was at the Copa America and almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief when a deal was finally agreed. Another big name, Tomas Ujfalusi, also left the club. Although not in the same league of player as De Gea or Kun, he was a crowd favourite and will be sadly missed.
While there have been exits, the arrival lounge at Atlético has been busy too. Busy but by no means setting the world alight. Quique Sanchez Flores left the club at the end of the season. His replacement was not what people had expected. Names like Rafa Benitez, Luis Enrique and Joaquin Caparros were mentioned but in the end the task fell to Gregorio Manzano who was at the club back in 2003-04. While there was some disappointment at the appointment some see Manzano as possibly the perfect choice for the new project at Atlético which has seen changes all over the club including a new Director of Football, Jose Luis Caminero, who was an ex player of the club. Throw in all the changes at the Communications Department at the club and maybe Manzano is the perfect choice to steady the ship.
Players have come in but not the standard of players expected by the fans. Thibaut Courtois has shown attributes similar to De Gea but most fans would prefer that the club strengthened upfront or in the midfield. The attacking midfielder who can link the midfield and forwards and provide a killer pass is a player that Atlético have lacked for years and is seen as a must for Atlético to sign. Chelsea ended up signing Courtois but he was loaned out to Atlético. With Joel and Sergio Asenjo in the squad, it has left some wondering was the signing of the keeper necessary and is it worth helping develop a keeper who is only here for a year.
At the back, Silvio and Miranda have come in. Silvio impressed at Braga and so far looks to have settled well into the club. For the 1st time in many seasons Atlético will have an actual right back playing in that position. Miranda comes with a lot of hype from Brazil. He has been named in the Brazilian ‘Team of the Season’ a few years running but Atlético fans are hesitant as they all remember another Brazilian defender who came with hype: Eller. On his debut, Miranda got sent off. A sign of things to come?
In the midfield Tiago has been signed on a 2 year deal. Tiago has impressed on his 18 month loan spell but he still needs to step it up a level. Towards the end of last season he linked up well with Mario Suarez and Atlético will need them to be at the top of their games if they are to do anything this season. Former player Gabi was signed from Zaragoza. While he impressed with Aguirre some wonder if the money could have been better spent. Some were expecting the likes of Borja Valero etc. and so when Gabi has announced there was a lot of disappointment.
The forwards are where Atlético have lots of work to do. Adrian has been signed after an impressive U21 Euro Champ. But it would be very naïve to expect the lad to lead the line. Diego Forlán has confirmed that he intends to see out his contract but Diego Costa has been ruled out with a long-term injury, leaving Atleti very short up front. Every day various players are rumoured to be joining the club but only time will tell.
What can we expected this year? Well never before has hope and faith been used with such intensity at the Vicente Calderon. While Atlético face an uphill task with players that some feel are not Atleti standard, Manzano has a habit of overachieving . The sounds coming out of the dressing room is that the players are aiming for the Champions League spots. Many feel that this is an impossible dream but with Manzano at the helm anything is possible. The atmosphere amongst the players is great and all seem to be enjoying themselves. It will be a long and interesting season at the Vicente Calderon. Worth a visit!
Remember for more news on all things Atlético related, check out Madrid Atleticos.com
Tags: Atletico Madrid, David De Gea
Another season, another dissapointment. Loosing De Gea to the side coached by that tiresome and obsolete “Sir” Al Ferguson was sad. Loosing jerk Maradona’s spoiled son-in-law to the other side that plays in that depressed English milltown known as Manchester was good. Nevertheless we still have a sad lack of leadership in the middle (after the trade of Simao), our striking front is next to non-existent, and with a defense anchored in the highly mediocre Perea we can assure ourselves that our golie will be kept quite busy. Hala Madrid!!!