The Weekly Rojiblanco: Singaporean sensations

WE WON (preseason edition)

In what many call a “very prestigious preseason tournament,” Atlético Madrid scored an International Champions Cup win against quality European competition when the boys in red and white (but actually blue) took on Arsenal n Singapore. They took a 1-1 draw into penalties and bested the Gunners 3-1 in the end.

• Luciano Vietto scored a header just before halftime as he tries to prove to Diego Simeone that he can maybe, just maybe, be a third striker.
• It was a particularly good day from Atletico’s new number 14 as well. Rodrigo, the impressive 22-year-old newly signed from Villarreal, played all 90 minutes and knocked in the first penalty.
• New backup keeper Antonio Adán saved three penalties and scored the winner, too!

“Knock knock!” “Who’s there?” “FIFA.”

Just as Gelson Martins arrives in Madrid to officially become an Atlético player, FIFA shows up and ruins the party.

In fairness, Sporting Clube de Portugal have told FIFA they believe they’re owed €100m for the transfer. Sporting claim that a week before Gelson terminated his contract with the club, they upped his release clause to the aforementioned €100m. How convenient.

• Gelson asked for his release on June 11, days after a group of ultras stormed the training pitch, injuring some players, the most prominent of which was Bas Dost.
• It is also worth noting this is the second time during the summer window Sporting has made a fuss about a player leaving. They did so when keeper Rui Patricio departed for Wolves, the newly promoted Premier League club.
• Finally, here’s Gelson’s first interview with the club:

A Wolf in Atlético’s clothing

Oh Jonny, my Jonny...we barely knew you.

The newly signed full back from Celta Vigo has already vacated his locker for this campaign and accepted a season-long-loan to previously mentioned Wolves in the Premier League. Which is strange, because...

Seeya Vrsaljko

It appears our colleagues at the Inter Milan desk are picking up the torch in covering soon-to-be former Atlético stalwart Šime Vrsaljko. The Croatian full back was brilliant for his country in 2017/18 and had been highly sought-after before, during and after Croatia’s magical World Cup run. Reports say he will sign with Inter in the coming days off the back of that World Cup and his so-so season at club level.

One to watch

Said to be the next great thing out of the Uruguayan quarry of talent, the red and whites signed 18 year-old Juan Manuel Sanabria to a five-year contract this week. The young midfielder will join Atlético B and develop his game there. He had been linked with Liverpool previously and was reportedly on Barcelona’s radar as well, but Atleti had eyed him since 2016 at least.

The fix is in

Can you feel it? Can you sense it? Because it’s here...the complete La Liga fixture list.