Valencia, Atlético move on in Europa League; Bilbao eliminated

February 26, 2010

A double by Pablo Hernández sent Valencia through to the Europa League round of 16. Atletico Madrid also advanced, but Athletic Bilbao were dumped out
Valencia and Atlético Madrid carried the flag for Spain on Thursday as both advanced to the Europa League round of 16 with wins over Club Brugge and Galatasaray. Athletic Bilbao, however, were knocked out after a hammering by Anderlecht.

Valencia needed extra time to progress, but they got two goals in the extra period to secure a 3-0 victory on the night and 3-1 on aggregate over Club Brugge.

Juan Manuel Mata levelled the tie inside the first minute of the match, but the attack of Los Ché went cold amid a phenomenal defensive effort by the visiting Belgians at the Mestalla.

Valencia could not grab the winner in 90 minutes, but Pablo Hernández struck seven minutes into the first half of extra time to put Valencia 2-1 in front on aggregate.

Brugge still had a chance needing just an away goal without reply to move on, but Pablo put the tie out of reach in the 117th minute to secure Valencia’s progression.

Atlético Madrid also moved on after a stunning 2-1 victory in Turkey against 10-man Galatasaray gave them a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

After a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg, Atlético cancelled the away goal and went in front on 63 minutes when Portuguese forward Simão Sabrosa beat goalkeeper Leo Franco in the Galatasaray goal.

But Gala evened the tie just three minutes later when Ivorian striker Abdulkader Keita equalized with a shot beyond Sergio Asenjo.

But Galatasaray opened the door for the visitors when striker Caner Erkin earned his second yellow card on 82 minutes, and Diego Forlán struck the winner in added time.

Anderlecht had the advantage in their tie after a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao last week, and they finished it off in style with a 4-0 home win and 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Outmatched from the beginning, Bilbao trailed inside four minutes when Romelo Lukaku bagged a goal beyond Gorka Iraizoz, and defender Mikel turned one past his own keeper on 28 minutes to make it 2-0 to the Belgians.

It only got worse for the Basque side as Roland Juhász scored on 50 minutes to make it a three-goal lead, and Jonathan Legear sealed the tie with a fourth in the 68th minute.

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Asenjo joins Atletico Madrid

July 9, 2009


Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo from Real Valladolid on a four-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on their website www.clubatleticodemadrid.com.

The Spanish under-21 international was secured for a reported fee of around 5.5 million euros and the loan of Atletico striker Diego Costa for next season.

The 20-year-old, who will be presented next Monday, comes in to replace the departed Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet, who have joined Galatasaray and Paris St Germain respectively.

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Coupet signs for PSG

June 30, 2009


PARIS (AFP) – Former France international goalkeeper Gregory Coupet signed for French giants Paris Saint Germain on a two year contract from Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

“Its signed and sealed, for two years,” confirmed the 36-year-old former Lyon star on leaving PSG’s headquarters.

Coupet, who spent 12 seasons at Lyon and was capped 34 times, will replace Mickael Landreau, who is set to join PSG’s rivals Lille.

Coupet, who retired from international football following France’s first round exit at Euro 2008, failed to make the first choice spot at Atletico and played just six times in the Spanish league and twice in the Champions League as he played second fiddle to Argentinian Leo Franco.

Coupet, who launched a tirade against France coach Raymond Domenech last September accusing him of being a dictator, should also be joined at PSG by Sochaux’ Turkish forward Mevlut Erding.

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Porto sneak into last eight on away goals

March 12, 2009

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PORTO, Portugal (AFP) – FC Porto scraped into the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a battling goalless draw against Atletico Madrid here on Wednesday.

This stalemate at the Estadio Do Dragao after the 2-2 first leg draw in Madrid left the tie all square on aggregate with Porto’s priceless goals in the Spanish capital winning the day.

Porto, the 2004 European champions when in the care of Jose Mourinho, fielded an unchanged side that had performed so well in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Atletico coach Abel Resino in contrast made two changes with Luis Perea replacing Giourkas Seitaridis at right back and surprisingly top scorer Diego Forlan coming off for the pacy Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

In a tight affair though chances proved few and far between with one of the better ones coming Porto’s way when deep into the second half Cristian Rodriguez forced Atletico keeper Leo Franco into a quick reflex save.

Franco needed to have his wits about him shortly after to deny a shot from Raul Meireles.

And as Porto went all out to try and put the tie beyond doubt Franco had to be quick off his feet again to stop Lucho Gonzalez’s shot as the final whistle beckoned.

Rival sets of fans clashed outside the stadium before kick-off leaving at least one person injured, Portuguese police who made two arrests, reported.

Written by: AFP

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Advantage Porto as Lisandro punishes Atletico defending

February 25, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – FC Porto seized the upper hand in their last 16 Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid scoring two vital away goals in a 2-2 first leg draw at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.

Argentine Lisandro Lopez scored twice to take his Champions League tally to six as Porto twice came from behind to level the score in Madrid.

The 2004 champions are now in the box seat for the return leg in Portugal on March 11 and should have had a bigger advantage with Atletico’s goalkeeper Leo Franco keeping them at bay with a string of important saves.

It was a tale of two goalkeepers with Franco having an inspired game while opposite number Helton almost gifted Atletico vitory with a calamitous error.

Captain Maxi Rodriguez put Atletico ahead after three minutes only for Lisandro to cancel out the strike after 21 minutes.

Diego Forlan netted close to half-time to restore Atletico’s lead although Brazilian goalkeeper Helton gave more than a helping hand with some woeful handling.

The relieved Helton was bailed out by his team-mates with Lisandro scoring again in the 71st minute as Atletico’s haphazard defending – a problem all season – was on show again.

With just over 90 seconds gone Porto almost scored an early away goal with Brazilian striker Hulk foiled by Franco.

It was an important save and Atletico made the visitors pay for the missed chance scoring after just three minutes.

Argentine Sergio "Kun" Aguero put a through pass to compatriot Maxi, who nipped in at the back post to slot home.

It was a perfect start for Abel Resino, who was experiencing his first European match in charge of Atletico after taking over from Javier Aguirre, who guided the club through the group stages.

However, Atletico looked frail at the back and Porto got a deserved equaliser with a terrible defensive mistake from Pablo Ibanez allowing Lisandro to level.

Spurred on by the equaliser Porto put the hosts on the back foot and spurned two great chances to take the lead.

The overworked Franco first denied Lisandro on 24 minutes and then Hulk, who was clean through, four minutes later. Resino was off the bench furious at his team’s slack defending.

But a dreadful error from Helton gave Atletico the lead again with the Brazilian shot-stopper allowing Forlan’s bouncing shot to squirm through his hands in first half stoppage time.

Porto somehow went into the break 2-1 down when they should have been a few goals up.

It was more of the same in the second half with Franco saving a goalbound header and Lisandro missing a sitter from close range.

Aguero, who had a son with Diego Maradona’s daughter Gianina Maradona five days ago, was hauled off by Resino after 55 minutes to the surprise of the home crowd who responded with whistles.

Porto finally got the reward their football deserved when Lisandro capped a fine move with his second goal meaning Atletico must score in Portugal in the second leg if they are to progress.

Written by: AFP

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Record-breaking Barcelona aim to erase season´s ugliest stain

January 24, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona, having established a huge 12-point lead over Real Madrid and Sevilla, on Saturday will attempt revenge on little Numancia, the only team to have beaten them in the Spanish League this season.

The promoted side, who caused an opening day upset with a 1-0 win, are fourth from bottom, but are dreaming of an unlikely double over Barcelona who have won 16 games and drawn two since that shock defeat.

"After losing to Numancia I never imagined we’d have a first half of the season like this," admitted Barcelona captain Carles Puyol whose side have created a record 50 points for the midway point of the season.

Coach Pep Guardiola has been a revelation since taking over the reins from Frank Rijkaard, winning 25 of his first 31 games in charge – better even than the legendary Johan Cruyff.

Barca drew 0-0 with local rivals Espanyol in Wednesday’s Kings Cup quarter-final first leg and are now ready for revenge against Numancia.

"You always have thorns in your side," said midfielder Xavi.

"We are on a good run and don’t want it to end, although there will be a Numancia wall ahead of us."

Real Madrid have won the league title the past two seasons but overhauling Barcelona’s lead is some task and they need to continue winning starting with Sunday’s home match against Deportivo La Coruna.

"If Barcelona continue like this then it will be very difficult for us. However, I think they will have a dip in form and we have to be ready to cut the gap," said Real’s Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Deportivo lost 5-0 to Barcelona last time out, but defeated Real 2-1 on the opening day of the campaign at the Riazor Stadium.

Real have won their last four games under Juande Ramos and should be well rested having not had any cup commitments in midweek.

Off the field dramas have not helped Real’s cause with Bernd Schuster axed and president Ramon Calderon resigning while there is constant talk of which players will be arriving in the summer.

AC Milan midfielder Kaka, having turned down a world-record switch to Manchester City, is one big name being mentioned.

Sevilla are also 12 points behind Barcelona and host Racing Santander on Sunday trying to keep up their league momentum.

Sevilla lost 3-2 at Valencia in their Kings Cup first leg match on Wednesday but are a much stronger side at their intimidating Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Valencia are four points behind Sevilla in fourth place going into Sunday’s match at Real Mallorca.

Atletico Madrid and their coach Javier Aguirre are having a difficult time at the moment and on Sunday travel to in-form Malaga who have won four out of their last five league outings.

Malaga won promotion last season and have been the surprise package this season lying level on points with Atletico.

Aguirre has come under extreme pressure from the demanding supporters but goalkeeper Leo Franco backed the Mexican boss.

"The fact is that he’s always reached the objectives set for him," said Franco. "He achieved great things at Osasuna and at Atletico he’s done everything asked of him."

Espanyol, third from bottom and five points from safety, sacked coach Mane’ following a poor run of results and their third coach of a testing season is a former player in Mauricio Pochettino.

Argentine Pochettino, 36, got a 0-0 draw with Barcelona in the cup on his debut and his league bow is a trip to Valladolid on Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday

Villarreal v Osasuna, Barcelona v Numancia

Sunday

Malaga v Atletico Madrid, Recreativo Huelva v Real Betis, Valladolid v Espanyol, Almeria v Athletic Bilbao, Getafe v Sporting Gijon, Real Mallorca v Valencia, Sevilla v Racing Santander, Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna

Written by: AFP

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