The Weekly Rojiblanco: Hangover Edition

Ooph. Without taking anything away from Sevilla, I’m not sure I really saw that gut punch coming. Still, despite Atlético Madrid’s Diego Costa-fueled goalscoring renaissance, their inconsistency in non-league competition continues.

Hopefully, they can get things sorted before the Europa League picks back up one month from now. In the meantime, enough of the armchair analysis and onto the week’s news.

• Transfers - In

Suso - A report from AS suggest that Atlético may be interested in bringing in AC Milan attacking midfielder Suso. The 24-year-old is under contract with Milan until 2022 and his buyout clause is in the neighborhood of €40 million, so price could be a factor here.

The report cites Liverpool as primary competition for Suso’s services.

• Transfers - Out

Jan Oblak - Liverpool have also popped up in reports linking Atlético’s star goalkeeper with a summer move to Anfield. The report implies Liverpool may be willing to splash for Oblak’s €100 million buyout clause, though sources for that information are unclear.

Kévin Gameiro and Nico Gaitán - Reports have been swirling all week about a potential double move sending both Gameiro and Gaitan to Swansea City. The Welsh club currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table and are desperately searching for solutions to their problems.

• Mourning Rubén Osvaldo Díaz

Those of you who tuned in for the start of the match Wednesday likely caught the brief moment of silence for former Atlético defender Rubén Osvaldo ‘Panadero’ Díaz, who passed away Tuesday. The Argentine will likely be remembered as a longtime stalwart for Racing Club, but also made strong contributions for Atlético Madrid in the mid-70’s, winning three titles in three years.

More details about his time with los colchoneros can be found in this press release by the club.

• Stabbing outside the Wanda

An unfortunate incident of fan-on-fan violence took place during the cup match outside the Wanda Metropolitano. A confrontation between Atlético fans led to the stabbing of a 22-year-old Atlético supporter by a 40-year-old Atlético supporter. Sevilla fans are not believed to have been involved.

The victim remains in critical condition while the suspect has been taken into custody and charged.

The incident has understandably prompted renewed attention to the issue of violence in football, including this piece by AS which is worth a look.

While many of us view football as a force that brings people together, it is important to remember that violent subcultures remain a part of the game. Hopefully, awareness and attention to this persistent issue can eventually help remove this tarnish from the beautiful game.