Pre-Season…

…is officially here. Los Colchoneros don’t return to training until 7-July. Plenty of time for them to take it easy and enjoy their time off.

In terms of transfer rumours, it’s business as usual! Who AREN’T we linked with?!

Hopefully, the transfer market will pick up pace with rubbish players leaving the club.

On a completely unrelated note, this is where I wish I was right now…Sarasota, Florida:

Photo taken a couple weeks ago.

No work for me this weekend, so I’ll be keeping eye on transfer rumour and news. If you see any new ones that are noteworthy, definitely share!

Thoughts on the 07/08 Season

It’s been another rollercoaster of a season, hasn’t it? Lots of highs, lots of lows, and I’m glad it’s all over because my nerves are shot…

Let’s have a look at our pre-season objectives:

-Be crowned Liga Champions. (too many dropped points)

-Win the UEFA Cup. (dumped out at the hands of rubbish Bolton)

-Win the Copa del Rey. (dumped out at the hands of rubbish Valencia)

-Qualify for Champions League football.

Well, at least we accomplished one of our goals. It’s already paid off in terms of 08/09 signings: we’ve secured the services of John Heitinga and, although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, Tomáš Ujfaluši looks like he’ll be our next signing.

Speaking of transfers, I choose SIMAO as our best signing of the 07/08 season:

Worst signing of 07/08? I choose the always-injured THIAGO MOTTA.

Yes, I’d rank him as worse than Cléber and Reyes. Had he been fit, we would not have had to use Cléber so frequently. In truth, though, all three of these players were nonsensical signings.

Consistently good players this season: Raúl García & Agüero.

I’d give the industrious award to Forlán. He continually put forth a lot of effort. He can be frustrating at times when he misses absolute sitters, but he creates plenty of goal-scoring opportunities for Kun and other players.

Worst players? I’m torn on this. For me, it’s a threeway tie between Eller, Pablo,  & Pernía. Pablo, I think, takes the cake because of his disastrous own goals. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SHOW THIS RUBBISH THE EXIT? PLEASE?

Who had a disappointing season? I choose Maxi. Not a bad season, but most definitely not a good one. There were far too many times where I felt that he should’ve been removed from the pitch. He had a horrible tendency of disappearing for long portions of some games.

Surprise mid-season addition to the squad: the promising young Ignacio Camacho. The future is bright.

Anything else to add? Any memorable moments that stick out in your mind? Any forgettable moments you want to dredge up?

[These are the players I'd like to see shown the exit now: Pablo, Pernía, Cléber, Eller, Zé Castro, Reyes, & Mista. They're all dead weight and have proven to be good for nothing.]

And, no, I’m not happy that Aguirre will stay with the club for another season. He has proven time and time again that he is NOT a tactical genius.

Jornada 38: Valencia v Atlético de Madrid

#4 Atlético 64

#12 Valencia 46

Win, lose, or draw, we still play Champions football next season. Having said that, I do hope we end this season on a positive note with a victory against a Valencia side that has had a disastrous season.

Here’s our weak starting 11:

Abbiati; Seitaridis, Zé Castro, Eller, Valera; Raúl García, Cléber, Miguel, Simão; Mista & Forlán

SUBS: Leo Franco, Antonio López, Pernía, Luis García, Joshua, Agüero.

New face in the squad is JOSHUA, a canterano who will be playing in place of Maxi, who was given permission to go to Argentina.

SUSPENDED: Camacho.

INJURED:  Motta, Reyes, & Perea.

NOT CHOSEN AT ALL: Pablo & Falcon.

Again, let’s end this season on a positive note. If we don’t, it’s not the end of the world…we’re still playing in Champions League next season.

TRANSFER RUMOUR & NEWS ROUND-UP
We’re still linked Oporto’s Lucho Gonzalez.

With Abbiati returning to Milan, we’re rumoured to be tracking Mallorca’s Moyà and Espanyol’s Kameni.

Meanwhile, CAMACHO is rumoured to be a target of Arsenal.

Anything missing?

There will be an 07/08 season written by Monday– the good, the bad, the ugly!

BLOG NEWS: I’ve modified the comment section. If your comment includes 1, 2, or 3 links, it won’t be sent to the spam filter.

Champions: ¡Misión Posible!

08/09 Champions League, here we come!

Thanks to all who have commented on the blog while I have been away on vacation in Orlando, Florida! Your commentary is always much appreciated!

I will return to New York this Thursday, but will try to write another new entry before then!

Until then, please share any news and comments in this entry!

Cheers.

Jornada 37: Atlético de Madrid v Deportivo

No time to write a full entry, but here’s a new one nonetheless for discussion on the game!

My summer has officially begun: I’m headed to Florida tomorrow (Saturday). I’ll be there in time to see the game, which is great. I’ll check into the blog to read and comment on the game.

PLEASE SECURE A CHAMPIONS SPOT, ATLETI!!!

I BELIEVE!!!

AUPA ATLETI!

Jornada 36: Espanyol v Atlético de Madrid

There’s not much else to say except this is another MUST-WIN fixture! No ifs, ands, or buts. 

After such a bright start to the season, Espanyol have been experiencing a severe downward spiral. Let’s bring more misery to the Pericos, I say!

Only two games left this season!

I have today off, thankfully, which means I can watch the game. I will watch a delayed viewing on GolTV, but will follow it on the Internet while it’s live.

MEDIA ALERT! Don’t forget to check out BBC’s “THE RISE OF SERGIO AGUERO” article! Click here for it.

Jornada 35: Atlético de Madrid 3 Recreativo 0

Still in Champions…only three games to go!

Leo Franco; Antonio López, Pablo, Perea, Pernía; Raúl García (Cléber 83’), Camacho, Maxi (Jurado 80’), Luis García; Forlán & Agüero (Miguel 76’).

GOALS
22′ Camacho
53′ Agüero
74′ Camacho

We must maintain this momentum until the end of the season!

Jornada 35: Atlético de Madrid v Recreativo

If we don’t win we can kiss our Champions League spot goodbye.

Just do it.

STARTING 11: Leo Franco; Antonio López, Pablo, Perea, Pernía; Maxi, Luis García; Forlán, & Agüero.

The major doubt for Aguirre is in the midfield: Raúl García, Cléber, or Camacho.

The choice seems obvious to me…

LET’S JUST WIN.

That’s all that matters.