LFC: It is a lot, I was suprised myself. Like I said to Todd, I bet you will like the replacements I got. 
Stephan El Shaarawy completes a €23M switch for Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid have confirmed the capture of A.C Milan's Italian international, Stephan El Shaarawy. The striker has signed a five-year contract worth €94K per week.
El Shaarawy is the first signing of Los Colchoneros' new manager, Bernd Schuster, who has been criticized by pundits for the signing as he was mostly injured throughout 2013-2014 season and barely featured for his former team.
The move of A.C Milan's up and coming player has not shocked many as the heated race for the player during the last week was an early notice, however his shocking new destination has made waves in Europe. It is reported that the gifted Italian has rejected European giants, in the forms of Barcelona and Chelsea as he landed in Estadio Vicente Calderón.
Atlético Madrid reached an agreement with AC Milan of about €23M for their rising star, El Shaarawy who has expressed his feelings following the announcement of his transfer:
"I'm leaving Milan heavy-hearted as I really love the club and the fans but it is time to move on and I'm happy to play for Atletico Madrid."
The 22-year-old was not included in the Italy's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, after missing most of the 2013–14 season through injury as he played for A.C Milan on just 10 occasions with only 4 starts and one assist. El Shaarawy has to recover his injury in his new club as his place in the starting line-up is not permanent with Griezmann and Turan compete the gifted Italian on the wings as Mandzukic, Torres and back-up Jimenez occupy the strikers position.
The club's official website revealed El Shaarawy will wear a jersey with number 8 which was previously owned by fan-favourite, Raúl García, who has been sold for Zenit less than a week ago. Garcia was known for his physical attacking play and coming from the bench to score which earned him the nickname of 'super-sub', as well status of fan-favourite and El Shaarawy is expected to play as good as the Spaniard, else the fans will show him their disappointment soon enough.
Not even one pundit or fan doubt the potential of Stephan El Shaarawy however Bernd Schuster has now a tough task, finding the correct formula so El Shaarawy's performances reflect his talent as fans in Vicente Calderon expect commitment, determination and loyalty from every player who ever wore, wear and will wear the jersey of their beloved football team.
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BOOM!!! El Shaarawy What a signing and replacement, hope he does well
Cappy13 I: Thank you.
Tallery: It is. That doubled my transfer budget.
OMGItsToddzy: Right! Indeed he is and I hope too.
mrwgump: Thanks.
Cappy13 II: I agree.
Tallery: It is. That doubled my transfer budget.
OMGItsToddzy: Right! Indeed he is and I hope too.
mrwgump: Thanks.
Cappy13 II: I agree.
Bernd Schuster bolsters the squad with two Argentinians
Atlético de Madrid have announced their two latest acquisitions, signing Paulo Dybala from Palermo for a reported fee of €15M which made pundits criticize the German manager for overpaying, and Lucas Romero from Vélez for €8.75M.
The capital city side has introduced their two new players at Vicente Calderon in front of approximately 25,000 enthusiastic fans.
The first arrival is the promising Argentinian striker, Paulo Dybala, who played for the Seria A side throughout 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 as he bagged only 8 goals in 57 appreances, featuring in the team's starting lineup on 38 games. The 20-year-old signed a long-term contract with the La Liga title holders, earning €60K a week and will wear a jersey with number 12 on the back.
The striker strengthens Los Colchoneros' attack which already includes Mario Mandzukic, fan-favorite and club legend Fernando Torres and the recent signing, Stephan El Shaarawy.
Raul Jimenez is also a part of the team's attack however his future is unclear at the moment with the arrival of Dybala and it is believed he will leave the team this summer.
The product of Instituto's youth department has been compared to compatriots Sergio Agüero and Lionel Messi due to his style of play. He is quick, creative with a great technical ability which excels him in counter-attacks. He is known for his dribbling and his capability to create chances for his team-mates besides scoring goals.
The second player who has been confirmed by the Spanish giants is Vélez Sarsfield's defensive midfielder, Lucas Romero, who got a €11.25K per week contract, running through 2018. Romero has played for his former club on 65 occasions with 44 appearences as a starter.
The 20-year-old is filling up the hole created in the defensive midfield by the sale of Mario Suárez earlier this transfer window to Spartak Moscow and was given the number 18 on his shirt.
The club's midfield is laden with talents such as home-grown superstar Koke, versatile Saúl mixed with experienced players like the captain, Gabi and aging Tiago Mendes.
"I am very happy we have bought Dybala and Romero as both are extremely talented and will help us to defend our La Liga title in this upcoming season. I have no doubt the fans will welcome the duo in few minutes as they will step on the field and chant their names," said Schuster in the press conference prior to the Argentinian duo's unveiling to the fans.
A journalist addressed the manager with a question regarding his plans for the transfer window and Bernd replied: "I am very happy with our three acquisitions in this summer and I have no intention to sign any other player, I am satisfied with the squad I possess.
Atlético's new striker, Paulo Dybala, has also expressed his feelings regarding his move:
"I wanted to come here as soon as my agent informed me of the club's interest and I am glad it worked out. I want to thank to my former club but it was time to move on and Atlético is the perfect place for me as it bred many strikers like Sergio Agüero, Radamel Falcao and of course, Fernando Torres," said emotional Dybala.
Lucas Romero has also spoke to the press, saying: "Like my new team-mate, I am very excited to sign for such a big club like Atlético Madrid and I hope to thank the fans of both Atlético and Vélez for the support I was shown from them for the last few days. I'm grateful to Bernd Schuster for the chance he has given me."
The last two signings of Rojiblancos have immense talent and potential but without to work hard in the club's trainings, they will be a huge flop of Bernd Schuster which needs to introduce them slowly into the first team else the expectations will weigh on the hot prospects.
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Pre-Season 2014
Atlético de Madrid launched their 2014\2015 season with a new manager on the sidelines, Bernd Schuster, and few new signings in the forms of Mario Mandzukic, Guilherme Siqueira, Jan Oblak, club legend Fernando Torres and many more. The team struggled to find form in eight friendlies, recording four wins, two draws and two losses.
Bernd Schuster's managerial career in Atlético de Madrid started with a slight concern, following an un-impressive pre-season as the German practiced his 4-2-2-2 formation but it took time for the players to adapt as their best game was the last friendly against a team from the third division in Spain, though.
The pre-season began with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Viktoria Plzen on an away game with a concerning twisted knee injury to loanee Cristian Ansaldi, luckily he is to miss only two weeks.
The next game brought Atlético to Red Bull Arena in Leipzig where Schuster won his first game with Siqueira scoring the only goal in a penalty kick following a foul on Mandzukic against RB Leipzig.
Atlético continued their pre-season and played their third match against Mainz which finished in a dull goalless draw as Los Colchoneros failed to find the net despite dominating the match but a great defensive display of the German team denied Mandzukic, Torres and the rest.
The Gelredome stadium with about 17,000 fans hosted the game of Vitesse against regenerating Atlético when the clash finished with a dramatic 3-3 draw as Argentinian wonderkid, Angel Correa, equalised in the 87th minute with a placed shot from inside the box with Dybala creating the chance. The first goals in the match came from the La Liga title holders as a four-minute blitz between the 35th to 39th minutes earned Schuste's players a 2-0 lead with goals of Arda Turan and Mario Mandzukic. Vitesse did not wait long with their reaction as Uroš ?ur?evi? scored his first goal in the match with a lovely half-volley and started his team's comeback, headed by him as he put two more goals, finishing the game with a hat-trick. The game showed 3-2 but a cooperation between two Argentinian promising players, Paulo Dybala assisting and Angel Correa bagging, ended the match in a draw.
The fans at Estadio Vicente Calderón seem to have a positive effect on El Niño as he scored his first goal out of many to come in the 19th minute with a header in first home friendly match against Benfica, giving his team a 1-0 lead and Angel Correa sealed the score with a late goal in extra-time while SLB's Luisão has seen the red-card in the 84th following a foul which earned him his second yellow card in the match.
Atlético Madrid faced recently-relegated Valladolid and won 2-1 with Stephan El Shaarawy's injury overshadowed the victory in his second appearence for his new team since his signing and he is anticipated to miss the Supercopa de España's first leg match against Real Madrid.
The game against Valladolid has also shown us a clear domination of Schuster's players as Arda Turan and Antoine Griezmann were the team's executors with one goal each, while Griezmann recorded an assist as he created the chance for his team-mate. Óscar Díaz equalised the score inbetween in the extra-time of the first half.
The clash against Cagliari left the fans of Rojiblancos displeased as Oggiano won the game for the Seria A side, heading in a cross of Murru after Gimenez missed the interception.
Atlético Madrid dominated throughout the entire game but inaccuracy of the strikers prevented them from taking the lead and lack of concentration saw them conceding a late minute goal in the 88th minute.
The last friendly in Atlético's pre-season was against Rayo Majadahonda which finished in a sweet 3-0 for the capital city side who were in control throughout the game, enjoying a brace from Fernando Torres and an early goal of Miranda. The team seemed to gel in the last game and Schuster's experiments finally paid off against the team from third division in Spain who did not pose any threat for Los Colchoneros.
Bernd Schuster has seen positives and negatives in the pre-season and learned the weaknesses of his team which he needs to prepare for their next game which will be his first official game as Atlético de Madrid's manager against bitter rivals, Real Madrid, in the first leg of Supercopa de España final at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on the 20th of August.
The manager has told us his opinion regarding the performances of his team in pre-season:
"It was up-and down, to be honest. There were games we dominated and won or should've won but the only game I wasn't pleased of was the loss to Viktoria Plzen but we only improved since then, racking four victories, two draws and a very un-deserved loss to Cagliari."
"It took some time for the attack to get together but it eventually happened and I believe we will be a force in La Liga and Champions League with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Arda Turan, Mario Mandzukic, Stephan El Shaarawy, Fernando Torres and Paulo Dybala in our team.
The defence was a bit leaky at the beginning but it stabilised later and kept a clean sheet in 4 matches with Jan Oblak starring between the posts," said satisfied Schuster.
Player of Pre-Season
http://www.deporteros.es/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/goooo-600x250.jpgThe team surely needs Godin to play as great as last season to be a force in challenging La Liga trophy and Champions League.
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iRoba: Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.
Justice: This FM requires you to pay up for stars, one of the signings really paid off and that's all I can tell. Mucho gracias, senor.
Justice: This FM requires you to pay up for stars, one of the signings really paid off and that's all I can tell. Mucho gracias, senor.
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