Discusses what a few of us were saying a few months ago. He did win the league last year, though, and the past decade has been beyond any Atletico fan’s dreams. They really should be the poster boys for what can be achieved but geez they are so dislikeable as a whole and that comes from their manager pretty much refusing to evolve into something well… more.
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Like it or not, I have to respect it.
They have tried to evolve and have done so to a certain extent, but it’s funny that it often that work out so far.
Atletico have had quite a few big transfers either not impressing or flopping.
But for Simeone and Atletico to still be more or less at the same level for 10 years commands nothing else but respect.
There were a few times when I thought the time has come for them two to separate and Simeone take on a new challenge, but they always responded.
I think the issue is, much like Houllier with us - he attempted the evolution and found he couldn’t make it work. He had enough credit in the bank, and possibly benefiting from a difference in expectations, to go back to his comfortable place and resume normality in a way Houllier either couldnt, wouldn’t, or wasnt afforded the option to (or bought Diouf and found there was no way back from that).
What is interesting is since his initial attempt at that evolution he’s continued to buy quality attacking players who should have helped them play a more attractive proactive brand of football, but rather than letting them evolve the side, he’s made them adapt into Simone players. It’s resulted in a side that on paper should be a lot better of a footballing side than it is, but one that still looks in practice no different than his original Godin inspired side.
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barca have signed ferran torres from shitty.
i thought they couldn’t afford even a pot to piss in
They brought in a ‘new sponsor’ not that long ago, a bank that loaned them a huge load of dosh.
And now the president is claiming “barca are back”
It’s ridiculous that they can be £1bn in debt and yet they’re back at it - talk of them now being in for Halaand.
This summer will likely see both Mbappe and Halaand move. Real Mardrid look likely the destination for Mbappe, and Barca are likely to do whatever they can to match that move.
I am hoping that the bubble bursts again for Barca.
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Joked with my friends when they had newborn babies that they should move to Bilbao and train the kid’s left foot every day.
Qualified to play and lefty… what are the chances of not making it for a few years at least?
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Barca pretty much back in the CL position Even with a draw against the mighty Granada
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The Italian and Spanish leagues are so crap that despite being abysmal, Juventus and Barcelona are in contention for CL spots. Atletico 
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Barca finally register Torres after extending Umtiti’s deal for an additional 3 years, but on a reduced salary. That allows them to amortize his singing fee over a longer period and have his reduced salary go into effect seemingly immediately. That coupled with Phil’s loan and Aguero’s retirement has seemingly given them the room to register torres.
Think about the absurdity of this. Umtiti is a player they do not want, yet committing to him for 3 additional years is a financially sound move. Furthermore, he has seemingly taken the deal after seeing how few other clubs now want him and has seemingly decided that its better to have 3 extra years on even a reduced a barca salary, than get his current salary for another 6 months and then be stuck without a team afterwards.
Barca are horrid. Definitely some sort of dodgy business going on with citeh about the supposed transfer fee
I dont know. Even with as highly rated as he is in Spain, he hasn set the place on fire with City, and yet they still nearly doubled their money after 1 season despite him making it clear he didnt want to there anymore. I think this is one where city have not only done well, but, remarkably, come out as fairly reasonable and proper.
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Athletico beaten again after being gifted og in super cup by athletic Bilbao 1-2.
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They have a mini tournament for this?
Still better than the “shared” Comunity Shield from the past.
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They should rename it Riyadh Cup.
I had a good laugh at this. Quite the ultimatum…sign a new deal or we will have to sell you. To whom? He can sign a pre-contract outside Spain to leave on a Bosman, his deal runs out this summer. The threat amounts to saying, ‘I will get really petulant, and stop giving you playing time’.
Maybe whomever he wants to go to in June will throw Barca a little cash to get him early, but Xavi is basically raging threats with his pants around his ankles.
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