Champions: Atlético de Madrid 2 PSV 1

Two goals in the first half (Simao & Maxi) were enough to see us into the next round of Champions action…thankfully. And, keep us top of our group, ahead of Liverpool.

In terms of the game, we dominated the first half and played some pretty good football for spells at a time.

A win seemed a likely result once half-time struck. Unfortunately, in typical Atleti fashion, we made our lives difficult and conceded a goal in the 46′. We hung on, though, and bagged the three points and a ticket to the next round of action– as did the other Liga clubs (Villarreal, Real Madrid & Barcelona).

In short, enhorabuena por la clasificación!

Now if only we can replicate these sorts of results in LIGA, as someone pointed out in the previous entry…

Catching Up Entry

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging! In the US, this Thursday, there is Thanksgiving Day. Basically, a day to give thanks and eat turkey, potatoes, and pie…good times! My favourite American holiday!

So, what has occurred since my last blog entry?

Copa: Atleti 0 Orihuela 0
Well, we made it to the next round, but the scoreline is just embarassing. We drew 0-0 against Ori-WHO?!

Jornada 11: Atleti 4 Deportivo 1
We bounced back with an emphatic win against a very poor Depor.

Jornada 12: Numancia 1 Atleti 1
One step backward. Dreadful. Earned point for Numancia. 6 points away from a Champions spot. Discouraging, to say the least.

What’s next?
26-Nov, Champions: Atleti v PSV
This one will be played behind closed doors, no thanks to UEFA. A victory would ease us into the next round. Aguirre will only be without Antonio López, who is nursing an injury.

30-Nov, Jornada 13: Atleti v Racing
7-Dec, Jornada 14: Sporting v Atleti
9-Dec, Champions: Marseille v Atleti
14-Dec, Jornada 15: Atleti v Betis
21-Dec, Jornada 16: Espanyol v Atleti.

This is a good set of games to get back on the winning track and make up for recent bad results, yes? 

We take our holiday break until 4-January.

What’s been in the news since my last entry?
-Talk of Aguirre, whether he should be sacked or not. And his tactics.

-Talk of the poor quality of our game recently.

-Talk of UEFA’s absurd ruling against us.

-Banega wants to play more.

Anything missing?

(Thanks to all those who leave their comments & thoughts! Much appreciated, as always!)

Jornada 10: Osasuna 0 Atlético de Madrid 0

A picture is worth a thousand words, no?

New season, same crap. Strong challengers for Liga? Yeah right.

We didn’t look threatening until the final 20 minutes. Prior to that, Osasuna were the more ambitious team. They failed to score a penalty in the first half, however– one, it must be said, that should not have been given.

In any case, one has to wonder…

Why did Aguirre bench Forlán?

Why does Aguirre insist on using a 1-4-5-1 formation when we clearly play more effectively with two strikers from the start?

Ugh.

We’re still in Champions and, of course, there is the Copa del Rey, but for how long? Tactical blunders abound.

I don’t know what else to say. My faith hangs by a thread. As usual.

Champions: Liverpool v Atlético de Madrid

FINALLY.

A very special game for both clubs and certain players on so many different levels.

*Torres plays against us.

*Forlán returns to England to play against his ex-club’s rival.

*Luis García & Sinama return to Anfield.

*Reina plays against his father’s club.

*Benitez’s mother supported Real Madrid while his father supported Atlético.

*Benitez, for his part, spent a number of years with Real as a manager.

*Oranje Connection: Heitinga, Kuyt & Babel.

*Argentine Connection: Mascherano, Kun, Maxi, Leo, Pernia, Banega.

*Simao plays against the club that failed to sign him on a number of occasions.

Etc, etc.

Here’s hoping for a positive result!

AUPA ATLETI

Jornada 9: Mallorca v Atlético de Madrid

Let’s just win, for the love of God.

We’ve gone too long without a league win.