Simeone and Torres: Reunited -and it might be good?
This is a move that Simeone has driven. He wanted Torres in the summer but Atletico were unable to make the deal happen. Now they have been able to do so, and this signing comes with a promise attached that shows how important it was for the manager.
According to Javier Matallanas, a journalist at AS and a man who is extremely well-connected at Atletico Madrid and with Torres' camp, when the club agreed to try to sign the player, Simeone promised that he would stay next season too, having previously considered walking away at the end of this campaign. Matallanas says that promise was made to the club and to Torres himself. This is Simeone's decision. Not all the signings are, but this was. The prospect of bringing back Torres -- a former teammate and a friend -- was an especially seductive one for him.sorry, had to post this, between Gerrard and Torres, I'm emotionally shattered this week
Chatter from the sidelines
- Real Madrid's club record 22-match winning run was ended by Nicolas Otamendi's fine header as Valencia came from behind to secure a famous victory. read more
- David Moyes's Real Sociedad stopped Barcelona going top of La Liga thanks to an early own goal from Jordi Alba. Real Sociedad turned Barça away, with their own goal
- Fernando Torres unveiled in front of 45,000 Atletico Madrid fans at the Vicente Calderon as striker relishes dream move 'back home'the Prodigal Son has returned
- Frank Lampard will join New York City in July after club feared midfielder would extend current Manchester City dealNYCFC will have their playmaker after all
- Ched Evans facing setback with Oldham reconsidering move after furious backlash
twenty thousand signatures overnight. The club is facing relegation, he's a proven goalscorer, but the backlash has caught them offguard. Sources say it was a done deal, but now it's 50/50. There is now the talk of rehabilitation vs indignation on sports radio. this will run and run - Someone asked me where I get my Real Madrid news. Sorry for not getting back to you, I was on my phone and I couldn't link. Real Madrid report on Tumblr has everything for your needs
Social Media
Poldi says goodbye
By dint of an own goal, Real Sociedad beat Barcelona. To be fair, Real Sociedad tend to find their form for the bigger teams (Real Madrid 4-2, Atletico Madrid 1-0 and now this) but are kittens with the rest of the league
David Moyes has it in hand, y'all
They hate us because they anus- or something
Thanks for coming, Leo! This is a feather in Moyes' cap
Bury me at sea!
Pictures
Isco shaved, and got a tattoo, Real Madrid lost. A coincidence?
In other news, Fernando Torres returned to Atletico Madrid for his home coming
He left the club a boy, coming into the fullness of his powers, and he's come back a man, with children (Nora and Leo) and a wife (Olalla), and his prowess dented
The Atlético kit is a handsome one this year. It looks streamlined, and the colour combo works. It's not garish as much as striking
Manuel Briñas, the founder of Atlético's cantera or youth academy was there to greet him
In the video (which is linked way below, at the end of the post), Torres tells his children that they have to take their fingers out of their mouths. They'll run on to the pitch, happy, and then when their turn is done, they have to run like bullets to their mum
Fernando Torres attended the Atletico match the day before. He expected his presentation the day after to be low key, because towards the end of his stint in the PL and his truncated stint in Serie A. He hasn't impressed, he's coming up under a cloud. Surely a few would come out of curiosity, but nothing more, was the feeling. Hah! Only for 45,000 people to show up!
Torres at the presser before he goes to change into the Atlético kit
Torres' fans. His number had been 9 for a number of years as these jerseys can attest. He now wears no. 19
Torres and dd, with kit
Torres' family at the press conference
I love this picture. That's it, really
The first club crest Torres has kissed: the first club he played for, and now it's come full circle. A lot of fans had a lot of mixed feelings towards him yesterday on my various timelines. But most of him do wish him the best. Simeone has said that there's depth in the Atlético squad, and Torres will have to fight for his starting place. So, there's that. We might see him play or might not. Good luck to you, Torres!
Real Madrid's match summed up in one expression
Ronaldo got a penalty. The sky is blue, the sun rises in the east, etc.
Bale missed a sitter
James held up a red card to the referee, everyone was charmed, standing ovation, panties disappeared. The end
Messi on his way to San Sebastian
Real Sociedad all over Messi like a rash
Real Sociedad are a strange team. They are giant killing matches for Real Madrid, Atlético and Barcelona. Everyone else? Meh
They suffocated and defended. They look fitter this time too.
Messi shakes the hand and walks on. LOL, look at his face
Damn, Watford, it was like that, huh?
Yesterday, Chelsea played an FA cup match against Watford. Mourinho changed his team, and told them that if they couldn't beat Watford, they had no business playing in the premier league. That was a gauntlet and a warning
Zouma scored. He's under there. Somewhere
Peter Cech got a run out
Arsenal played Hull, in a repeat of the last season's match up final. But first, Alexis with dogs
It wasn't that great a game. But Sanchez as always worked hard, sought and exploited weaknesses
The score ended 2-0
Manchester United came away with a win. Ander Herra scored the only goal, and got a yellow card for his troubles
Manchester United still not there yet
Manchester City live another day. Milner scored, on his birthday
Nasri and Silva get ready to go on the pitch. The citizens won.
Videos
¡Bienvenido a Casa, Fernando!