From Los Angeles, the emblematic city of California, where they were eliminated from the Club World Cup in Los Angeles in San Rafael, a small town 50 minutes from Madrid. Atlético players will start their pre-season preparation on July 26 in Los Angeles in San Rafael, a month after their return from the United States after only three games. Antoine Griezmann and his teammates are fixed.
Humiliated at the entrance by PSG on June 14 (4-0), the formation of Diego Simeone then beat the other two teams of the hen, the Seattle Sounders (3-1) and Botafogo (1-0) but were preceded unlike the goals by the Brazilian club (-1 against +1). A new disappointment after a second part of the catastrophic season, the ATETI being unable to stay in the title race behind Barça and Real.
The “cholo” was mild with his flock giving them four weeks of vacation. Result of the races, once is not customary, the preseason of Atlético will only last three weeks before the first day of Liga and a meeting on the field of Espanyol, in the suburbs of Barcelona on August 17.
An offensive crack instead of Griezmann?
Griezmann and his teammates will not have to digest an internship on the other side of the world, in North America or Asia as in recent years. Madrid players will have time to get into physical power in their Majadahonda training center, northwest of the capital. Only one friendly match is currently scheduled, with a shock against Newcastle, Saturday August 9 in the Antre de St James' Park (5 p.m.).
Simeone must also breathe new life. In addition to the final recruitment of Clément Lenglet (released by Barça), Atlético recruited another central defender with Matteo Ruggeri (€ 17 million) as well as the Spanish international attacking midfielder Alex Baena (€ 45 million). A new offensive crack is expected to accompany Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorho. “Grizi” extended until 2027 but was physically picked up. Transparent, he clearly contributed to the tumble of his team last spring. Its goal at the World Cup clubs does not erase anything.
