Atletico Squeeze Past PSV

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After 210 goalless minutes over two legs, Atlético Madrid got the better of a high-quality penalty shootout, winning 8-7 after 16 spot-kicks to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Juanfran slotted home the winning kick, moments after Luciano Narsingh had smashed the bar with PSV’s eighth effort.

The teams had battled to a 0-0 stalemate over 90 minutes, just as they had in the first leg in Eindhoven.

And no one could find the breakthrough in extra-time, meaning the tie was decided from the spot.

Fourteen successful penalties followed, with both Atléti’s Jan Oblak and PSV’s Jeroen Zoet struggling to get close to many attempts in what was a high-quality shootout.

Then Narsingh, introduced as a late substitute at the end of extra-time, crashed his effort on to the bar and Juanfran put Diego Simeone’s side into the quarter-finals for the third season in succession.

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PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid - Preview

PSV Eindhoven will miss striker Luuk de Jong when they entertain Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.

Philip Cocu's side won all their home games in the group stage, but must take on 2014 runners-up Atletico without the suspended De Jong who has scored 17 goals this season to help lift PSV to the top of the Eredivisie.

Cocu, though, will be encouraged by the return of influential Mexican midfielder Andres Guardado following a hamstring injury.

"Simeone is bringing success back to Atlético. You can see his character as a player reflected in his team – I applaud that. They have a clear style of play. Would I settle for a 0-0 draw? Keeping a clean sheet could be very important." said Cocu

"Atlético have a consistent side, they're a great team unit, they won't give anything away. They always play the same way – they are winners and they play a compact game despite a busy fixture list. They are a nice example of everybody playing for each other and for the team. You have to be prepared and give your all every time."

PSV have kept clean sheets in their last three domestic league games to edge one point ahead of second-placed Ajax.

Second-placed Atletico slipped eight points adrift of Barcelona after Sunday's goalless draw at home to Villarreal, but will also take heart from a consistent rearguard that has conceded 11 goals in 25 La Liga games this season.

Coach Diego Simeone said his team were still on course to achieve their targets.

"If you look at the objectives we set at the beginning of the season we are on the right track and, apart from Barcelona who are different to all the rest, it's hard for all of us," explained Simeone.

Atletico won 13 points out of 18 in the Champions League group stage and will hope to repeat the 3-0 win they recorded in Eindhoven in the 2008/09 Champions League when the two clubs were in the same first-round section.

The return match at the Vicente Calderon is on March 15. 

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Cristiano Treble Helps Sink Espanyol

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Cristiano Ronaldo rediscovered his best form to answer critics who have suggested his powers are beginning to fade scoring another hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

The Portugal international converted a spot-kick in the 12th minute, before doubling his tally in the dying seconds of the first half and making it three late on.

Karim Benzema had opened the scoring for Madrid after being set up by James Rodriguez, who found the net himself between Ronaldo's first two goals to cap an impressive outing on the right wing.

Sunday's win matched the result in the first meeting between the two teams in Barcelona in September and was a third victory in four games for Zinedine Zidane, whose triumphs as Madrid boss have been similarly convincing.

Madrid remain third in La Liga, but are now trailing second-placed city rivals Atletico by just one point, after Diego Simeone's side lost to league leaders Barcelona on Saturday.

Giedrius Arlauskis' goal had been under siege with Marcelo, Ronaldo and Isco all going close before Benzema struck in the seventh minute. James sent in a superb cross from the right and the Frenchman beat his marker to the ball before heading home for his 18th league goal of the season. 

Madrid immediately started pushing for a second goal and Ronaldo doubled their lead from the spot in the 12th minute, after drawing a foul from Enzo Roco. 

There was no stopping Zidane's men in the opening stages and James piled even more misery on Espanyol when his 16th-minute shot took a deflection off Papa Kouly Diop before finding the net. 

Benzema could have made it four shortly after following an intelligent one-two with Isco, but he aimed just wide from eight yards out. 

Espanyol got their first chance of note shortly before the half-time whistle after a quick break involving Mamadou Sylla and Salva Sevilla, but the latter's attempt was too weak to worry Keylor Navas. 

Ronaldo was not to be denied in the dying seconds of the first half, however, dancing past three opponents before beating Arlauskis with a powerful left-footed shot.

Benzema should have made it five at the hour mark after some good work from Ronaldo down the right, but the striker's header lacked the power and accuracy to worry Arlauskis.

Ronaldo handed the former Lyon man another gilt-edged chance after a good combination with Marcelo down the left, but Benzema once more failed to get his attempt on target.

Madrid kept on pushing for more and Ronaldo nearly got his hat-trick when he lifted a free-kick over the wall, only to see his attempt clip the top of the net.

Ronaldo eventually made it 5-0 in the 82nd minute with his 19th Liga goal of the season to draw level in the Pichichi standings with Luis Suarez. He headed home from close range after a fine cross from Jese, before Espanyol debutant Oscar Duarte beat his own goalkeeper to cap a dominant outing for the hosts.

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Torres Pay Offer Highest in World

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Fernando Torres has an offer to become the highest-paid player in world football, his agent José Antonio Martín has said.

The striker is currently on loan at Atlético Madrid from Milan until the end of the season and Martín has called on the Atlético coach, Diego Simeone, to make his position on Torres clear.

“Fernando and Simeone should sit down and talk about it,” he told the Sun.

“The fans of Madrid don’t want Torres to be told no continually. He has an offer that would make him the best-paid in the world. There are nuances. It all depends upon the will of the club.”

Torres has scored only two goals in 16 appearances this season, but Martín believes Atlético fans want the player who began his career at the club to sign a permanent contract.

“The feeling I get is this is something that must be resolved, not between [the club president, Miguel Ángel] Gil Marín or [the technical director] Andrea Berta, but rather between Simeone and Torres, who are friends.

“He must either tell [Torres] ‘I am counting on you’ or ‘I am not counting on you’. The fans want his contract renewed and it is something that can’t be denied.”

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Roberto Carlos Real Backroom Option

Roberto Carlos has said he is in talks to join Zinedine Zidane’s backroom staff at Real Madrid and hinted he may be able to persuade Neymar to join him.

Carlos, who is the player-manager of the Indian club Delhi Dynamos, made more than 500 appearances for Real between 1996 and 2007.

“I had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club,” he said. “Soon I will know how I can collaborate with Zidane’s Madrid.”

The 42-year-old former Brazil full-back also praised the Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, for turning to Zidane after the departure of Rafael Benítez.

“Zidane is a leader in the dressing room. His personality is going to make him very successful. A coach has to befriend his players and Benítez struggled to form a bond with them.”

But after Neymar finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting on Monday, Roberto Carlos made the bold suggestion the Brazil forward’s next move could be to leave the Camp Nou for their bitter rivals

“I can take him to Real Madrid. He’s very young. I am sure next year he will finish even higher in the Ballon d’Or,” he said

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Guardiola und Die Lange Abschied

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Pep Guardiola says he is leaving Bayern Munich to manage in England.

The former Barcelona boss recently announced he would not extend his contract in Germany when it expires at the end of this season.

Guardiola, 44, has been linked with Premier League clubs Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. I have several offers from England but I haven't signed anything yet," he said.

"I have an opportunity to work in England. I'm at the right age and I feel it is the right move for me.

"That is the reason I have taken this decision."

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had suggested Guardiola already knew which club he would be joining next season.

But on Tuesday, the Spaniard said: "I haven't decided."

Former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, 56, is taking over at Bayern, with Guardiola describing the Italian as a "perfect choice".

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Real Madrid Sack Rafa Benitez

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Rafael Benitez has been sacked by Real Madrid - seven months after he took charge of the club.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss has lost three of his 18 La Liga games in charge, though Los Blancos were kicked out out of the Copa Del Rey for fielding an ineligible player 

Zinedine Zidane is current favourite to take over. 

Rafa Benitez joined the ranks of Real Madrid CF when he was 13 years old and played in various teams from a young boy through youth and amateur teams until the age of 20, winning among other titles the Spanish Youth Championship in 1977-78 and also runner-up in the Spanish Amateur Cup in1979-80. 

When he was involved in the Universiada in Mexico in 1979 (similar to the Olympics at university level), he sustained a knee injury that prevented him reaching the second team Real Madrid Castilla and was transferred to AD Parla, where he played 4 seasons, from 1981-1985, during which they were champions of the 3rd Division and won promotion to Second División B.

In his final season 1985-6, before retiring because of a recurrence of his knee injury, he played for CF Linares.

He was also an International player at University level with Spain on 5 occasions and participated in Mexico’s Universiada in 1979 as previously mentioned.

Coaching Career.

June 21st witnessed the unveiling of Rafa Benitez as head coach of SSC Napoli in the club sports facilities - Castell Neapolitan Volturno. 

The Madrid born coach appointed by club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was presented to a packed room of 250 journalists from around the world. The press conference was broadcast live and it's impact has been compared to the arrival of Diego Maradona decades ago. In his first season as head of Napoli, Rafa Benítez managed to lift the Coppa Italia - the fifth in the history of the Neapolitan club and the eleventh title in the personal honours of the Madrid born coach. 

The twelfth title was won after beating Juventus in the Italian Super Cup played in Qatar on 22nd December 2014.

Rafa joined Chelsea FC in November 2012 and worked hard to instil the highest standards and challenge for honours. Achievements include managing the team to victory at the UEFA Europa League Final in Amsterdam on May 15th. 

Also securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League football group stages for Chelsea FC next year and for finishing in third place of the Premier League. 

In the 2010-2011 season, Rafa Benitez had managed Inter Milan in winning the Italian Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup just six months after joining.

He spent six seasons as manager of Liverpool FC, from the 2004-05 to 2009-10. 

Before that, he spent three seasons as coach of Valencia CF SAD in La Liga (First Division), from 2001-02 to 2003-04.Imagen

CD Tenerife SAD Coach, Division 2, 2000-01 season. 

CF Extremadura SAD Coach, 2nd and 1st Division, 1997-98 and 1998-99. 

Club Atlético Osasuna Coach, Division 2, 1996-97. 

Real Valladolid SAD Coach, 1 st Division, 1995-96. 

Real Madrid B Coach, Division 2, 1993-94 and 1994-95 season, as well as Assistant First Team Coach Real Madrid CF, La Liga First Division (93-94). 

Real Madrid U-19 coach and Assistant Coach Real Madrid B, Division 2, 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. 

Coach of Real Madrid Juvenil "A" and half the 1990-91 season as coach of Real Madrid U-19. 

Coach of Real Madrid Juvenil "B", 1989-90. 

Three seasons as coach of Castilla Youth "B" from 1986-87 to 1988-89.

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Atletico Madrid Top La Liga

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Thomas Partey scored his first La Liga goal as Atlético Madrid beat Levante 1-0 at home to go top of the table.

Atlético lacked a finishing touch until the Ghanaian midfielder struck nine minutes from time with a shot that squirmed away from Diego Marino, the Levante goalkeeper.

“The team is playing well and anyone could have got the goal,” Partey, 22, said. “I am still learning and by working hard I am having more chances to play.”

Saúl Ñíguez almost gave Atlético the lead inside two minutes with a near-post header from a corner that went just over the crossbar. Jackson Martínez had an effort well saved by Marino before defender Stefan Savic nodded the ball against the top of the bar from a corner.

At the other end Verza, the midfielder, had a golden chance to put Levante in front on the half hour but fired wide for the club that is bottom of the league.

Atlético midfielder Koke then cracked a half-volley against the underside of the bar from 25 yards after 54 minutes and a cross from Luciano Vietto also thumped the woodwork.

The home side’s attempts were becoming ever more desperate before Partey, who had been on the pitch for seven minutes, burst through the centre of the penalty area and Marino was unable to hold his shot as the ball crept over the line.

Atletico have 41 points, two more than Barça who have a game in hand. Third-placed Real Madrid are on 36 points and visit Valencia on Sunday.

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