Page 37 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

Atlético Madrid
Despite a tricky period following the 2022 World Cup, Atletico Madrid ended the last campaign in strong fashion to once again be best of the rest behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. Diego Simeone will be eager to break that tag and has the added benefit that star man Antoine Griezmann’s lengthy loan spell has now been made a permanent signing. Funds are limited for Atleti but that hasn’t stopped the 11-time La Liga winners bolstering their defence with the acquisitions of Javi Galan and the vastly experienced Cesar Azpilicueta. A stronger defence will play a significant
role in closing the gap at the top and you sense Simeone is after at least one more tilt at the title.
NICKNAME:
Colchoneros (Mattress Makers)
Indios (Indians)
MANAGER:
Diego Simeone
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 3rd
Barcelona
Last season’s league victors will have a tougher time of it this campaign and will not be helped by playing their home games away from the Camp Nou due to renovations to the stadium. Estadi Olimpic will be Barca’s home this season and they will have to ply their trade without club stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba who mark the end of an era at the Catalan club, as both legends moved to MLS to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. It is not all bad news though as Ilkay Gündogan joins on a free and will fill the departed Busquets role with confidence. Xavi will know anything other than the
title will be viewed as disappointment but may be given some leeway in a transition period for the club. However, an improved performance in Europe is an absolute must.
Experienced defender Cesar Azpilicueta joined Atletico Madrid this summer
Ilkay Gundogan
was Barcelona’s headline summer signing
NICKNAME:
Barça or Blaugrana (team)
Culers or Barcelonistes (supporters) Blaugranes or Azulgranas (supporters)
MANAGER:
Xavi
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, Champions
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 37
FALL BIG MATCHES
SEPTEMBER 17
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
SEP 24
Atletico Madrid v Read Madrid (Madrid Derby)
OCT 1
Real Sociedad v Athlitic Bilbao (Basque Derby)
Barcelona v Sevilla
OCT 8
Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad
OCT 22
Sevilla v Real Madrid
OCT 29
Barcelona v Real Madrid
NOV 5
Real Sociedad v Barcelona
NOV 12
Sevilla v Real Betis (Seville Derby)
NOV 26
Real Sociedad v Sevilla
DEC 3
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
5 WHO
CAN
THRIVE
IAN WATERHOUSE NAMES FIVE PLAYERS WHO COULD MAKE STANDOUT CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE CLUBS IN LA LIGA THIS SEASON.
CESAR AZPILICUETA - ATLETICO MADRID
The versatile Azpilicueta returns to Spanish domestic football for the first time in 13 years after an emotional farewell to Chelsea, where he was consistently among the Premier League’s best defenders. Teaming up with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid sounds like
a match made in heaven for the experienced Spain international. If Atleti are to push for the title, then Azpilicueta’s knowhow will prove to be a crucial ingredient for success.
JUDE BELLINGHAM - REAL MADRID
We couldn’t complete this list without including €100m man Jude Bellingham. Still only 20 years of age, the England midfielder has lit up the domestic and global stage for Borussia Dortmund and England over the last 18 months. How he fares with the pressures of Madrid remains to be seen, but the early signs are good and he has all the attributes to be one of the absolute best.