La Liga: Giuliano Simeone suffers double leg fracture in friendly game
Giuliano Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, will miss the entire season after suffering a double fracture in his left leg during a friendly game.
Giuliano Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, will miss the entire season after suffering a double fracture in his left leg during a friendly game.
La Liga leaders FC Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano after another lackluster display from Xavi Hernandez's team.
Sevilla dropped to fourth after a 0-0 draw at home to Mallorca, leaving Sevilla (who visit Atletico on Sunday) with work to do to ensure a top-four finish, while Mallorca remains in the bottom three and in deep relegation trouble.
Real Madrid made seven changes to the team that defeated Manchester City on Wednesday night, and it showed, particularly in a disjointed first-half performance.
Last Saturday saw Carlo Ancelotti's men crowned La Liga champions with four games left to play, while Wednesday saw them produce yet another miracle comeback in the Champions League with two goals in the last two minutes to book their place in the tournament final.
The 4-2 aggregate win on Wednesday saw Atleti advance to the quarterfinals, whereas holders Liverpool had to walk out of the league with a heavy heart.
The Reds were leading 2-0 (2-1) in the first extra time on Wednesday night when Adrian botched a clearance and Atleti's Marcos Llorente scored to turn the tie on its head.
In the first leg of this UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie, Atletico Madrid not only exposed Liverpool tactically but halted their unbeaten run.
Liverpool were pipped by a 1-0 goal difference when they visited Madrid for the first leg. Saul Niguez had scored the lone goal of the match only in the 4th minute. And now, the Reds will be hosting their opponents at Anfield.
Though Jurgen Klopp’s men held 73% possession of the ball, Atleti continued to threaten them and maintained the one-goal gap till the final whistle.