Football Season Guide

Expectations are high for Atletico Madrid as they kick off their 2018/19 campaign. After finishing second last year and winning the Europa League, they want to kick on and challenge for another LaLiga title and their impressive transfer business means they are a serious contender to take Barcelona’s crown. Not only have Atletico Madrid kept their world-class coach Diego Simeone, but they’ve also kept world-class players like Jan Oblak, Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann, even though all three of these players have been linked with moves away from the Spanish capital during this transfer window. All of the players who have departed have been logical exits, with out-of-place Sime Vrsaljko leaving and with veterans Gabi and Fernando Torres choosing to wind down their careers in Qatar and Japan respectively. In terms of new arrivals, Atletico have made several mouth-watering purchases, bringing in wingers Thomas Lemar and Gelson Martins, defensive midfielder Rodri and Santiago Arias to replace Vrsaljko at right-back. The experienced Antonio Adan arrives too to provide a pair of sage hands at backup goalkeeper. They’ll also have Diego Costa for a full season, rather than just half of one. On top of all this, Atletico Madrid fans can be encouraged by the fact that this will be their second year in their new stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano. Last year they dropped a few points at home as they settled into the new ground, but now it should really feel like home and potentially become a fortress. It already was starting to feel like one towards the end of last season. While the leadership void that Gabi and Torres’ exits entail shouldn’t be underestimated, there is no doubting that Atletico Madrid have a much stronger squad this year than last. They’ve upgraded in almost every position at the same time as retaining their most important players and coaches. It’s little wonder their fans are excited.