THEY HAVEN’T REACHED the heights of last season but Atletico Madrid are still on course for a Champions League place after a second half goal from Fernando Torres gave Diego Simeone’s men a precious point away to Levante.
The draw leaves Atletico four points clear of Valencia in third place, as they could only draw 2-2 at the Bernabeu on Saturday night.
As it stands, Atletico need three points from their last two games, at home to Barcelona and away to Granada, to book a place in Europe’s marquee competition.
Levante are struggling down in 14th but still lead twice before Torres headed home midway through the second half.
It was a crucial goal from the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker, who has shown glimpses of his best form in his first season back with his old club.
Atletico won the league and were seconds away from adding the Champions League last year, but that sort of form was always going to be almost impossible to replicate with Barcelona and Real Madrid lurking.
Still, Simeone guided the club to the last eight in Europe and they look on course to get a top three finish in the league, so it is still a pretty successful year.
And it is nice to see Torres making some key contributions after a couple of poor seasons.
Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season
O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.
He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.
Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think
That pop pass from O’Brien
Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.
It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.
It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.