This Is Atleti

April 26th 2012 Road to Bucarest (the UEL Semifinal One) Atlético de Madrid turned 109 years old on the same day Simeone's squad beat Valencia 0-1 on the 2nd leg match of the UEL tie to continue a victorious 11 games European match winning streak. And just minutes after we qualified for a second UEL final in two seasons we got together for a quick episode to analyse the Valencia tie and look ahead at the upcoming final vs. Athletic de Bilbao. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don't forget to visit these excellent sites: www.madridatleticos.com www.facebook.com/madridatleticos www.AtleticoFans.com www

April 18th 2012 The sweet and sour derbi One In the hours that lead to a tie that could take us to a second Europa League final in only 3 seasons we debated about the double derbi rollercoaster week. Falcao in another goal that makes him living history of the club scored against Rayo and ensured 3 valuable away points. Debate about the derbi, a further look at the first leg of the Europa League match and other pressing topics here on your favorite all Atleti podcast. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don't forget to visit these excellent sites: www.madridatleticos.com www.facebook.com/madridatleticos w

April 3rd 2012 The One with the sad twist at the end Mixed emotions arise as Atleti manage to get two crucial wins in a very positive week on the road to semifinals in Europa League and our final assault on the top 4 spots of La Liga. Since happiness seems to never be complete at "el Calderón" Perea spoke to the press expressing his feeling that his time as a rojiblanco may be touching its end. Will the club finally do things right and see a veteran leave the team with the honors he deserves? We'll see. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don't forget to visit these excellent sites: www.madridatleticos.com

The last minute One that cost a Champions League spot March 27th 2012 Godin gave away a penalty during injury time to shatter Atleti’s last hopes for a spot among the top 4. Have things gone wrong beyond solution for Atletico? Simeone seems to have lost the touch. A defeat against the last team in La Liga brings even more doubts to Cholo’s squad performance in La Liga. His numbers begin to resemble those of Manzano. Plus new section of Rojiblanco Fact of the Week. The team's on empty but we just get better and better. Sit back and enjoy, this is your hour of Atleti. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don'

March 22nd 2012 The One where the Tiger showed the Lions his claws Falcao would have probably been named man of the match beyond doubt had it not been for his fellow Colombian Perea 10 minute performance in a night to remember for Atlético. ¡Viva Colombia! 2-1 crucial win for Atlético over Athletic, direct rival for Champions League qualifying spots and right when the atmosphere was tense for an unexpected defeat at Mallorca after an easy match at Istanbul. 3 games in 7 days and the merry-go-round just keeps spinning and spinning! Next up is Zaragoza, Hannover 96 and Getafe. 3 completely different rivals. No such thing as an easy match anymore where the struggle for survival, for Champions League spots, for qualifying for the next round all get into place and Atlético needs to be at its best to withstand the challeges ahead. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es

March 14th 2012 The One where we won playing badly Atleti ended a five game winless La Liga streak by beating Granada 2-0. In the Europa League front Atleti shone with a brilliant display by Salvio and Adrián scoring a beautiful third goal. Things would have run more smoothly had Simao not scored the worrying final 3-1. Simeone’s team seems to be running on empty every second half even though the last two matches were wins. Will the team cope with the sustained intensity Cholo demands? Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don't forget to visit these excellent sites: www.madridatleticos.com www.facebook.co

March 7th 2012 The One when we saw the two sides of Salvio For the fifth time in a row Atlético was unable to collect a win and had to settle for another draw versus Sevilla away. As the first voices of discontent stir we ponder whether withstanding a tough February is enough or the point gap and lack of games ahead is starting to get us into a tight situation? Ahead is a welcome reencounter with former capitao Simao Sabrosa and his squad Besiktas. Also an interesting first installment of our players on loan brought by Gary and the usual share of news and opinion. Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans www.atleticofans.com Please don't

February 28th 2012 The One when only Messi was paying attention Controversial decisions by the referee and two moments of magic by Messi earn Barcelona three points at the Vicente Calderón and leave the rojiblancos dumbfounded again. Atlético waited for Barcelona during the first half and was the better side during most of the second one. A touch of genius as Simeone called it left us deserving at least a draw but getting nothing. In depth match analysis and a look ahead. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns Atletico Fans

February 23rd 2012 The (Special) One with Graham Hunter With Barca coming up, who better than Graham Hunter to pop in and have a chat with us. Graham Hunter is known for his TV work with Skysports, ESPN and UEFA and works with Newspapers such as the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail. Graham recently published the brillant and excellent book 'Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. We have him on the show and asked him about the book, Barça's season and Atlético under Simeone. We hope you enjoy. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He w

February 21st 2012 Th One when all the goalkeepers seemed unbeatable After 3 straight draws (with only one scored goal) in la Liga some fear the Simeone effect might start to wear off. The struggle to score doesn't seem to affect Atleti in Europe. Rome witnessed an impressive match from our side which leaves a 1-3 in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round in a great display of strikers Adrián and Falcao which led the rojiblancos to overcome Klose's initial opener. We invited Susanne Offermann (www.twitter.com/mirai_torres) again from the Peña Atletica Centuria Germana (www.atleticomadrid.de) to talk to us about their trip to support the team at Rome. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatle

February 11th 2012 The One when we didn't score a single one...again! Simeone said after the match at Santander: "When you asked if I'd rather play bad and win I said yes. You (press) didn't like my answer. Today we played very well and drew. I'm sure you're delighted" Atleti did everything right today except scoring. In an excellent match vs Racing at santander, neither Diego, nor Adrián, nor Falcao nor any other player in red and white will be recalled as man of the match because that trophy tonight could only go to man-of-the-match Toño, Racing's goalkeeper blocking the unblockable and where Toño wouldn't reach the post or the crossbar were there to help him keep a clean sheet. A sweet and sour draw. The team played well but is also struggling to score. Will we improve? Rome and Gijon await with the answer this week. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for U

February 8th 2012 Another One with a clean sheet Ok, so we didn't win...big deal! Who would have thought a month ago we'd have collected 11 out of 15 hard to get points and that we would have collected five straight clean sheets? With Gary down with the flu (get well soon) Derek and Ricky talk about the goalless draw versus Valencia which left a few disappointed expecting more. A useful point and a warning to not get carried away. Step by step to the top spots is the only way to go, one game at a time as Simeone always points out. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of t

January 31st 2012 The One when we continued to dream the dream Four games in a row with a clean sheet, 10 out of 12 points collected, zero games lost in January, great attitude from the players, Godin scoring,... seriously... what else could we ask for?! For it to last! Gary and Derek ponder this week about the very important win against an always tough Osasuna that sold their defeat at a high price. Simeone's eleven warriors won another battled on this reconquest of lost spots on the table which hopefully will take us to the top positions with access to Champions League football and on the way enjoy the second half of the season that started this weekend. Next up is Valencia, another tough obstacle for Cholo to try to overcome. If he and his boys are successful the fourth position might be closer than we would have ever imagined seeing it at the begginning of February. Let's enjoy the dream while it lasts! This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatl

January 24th 2012 The One when Simeone broke the odds 8 months...8 long months until we managed to get another away win and what a win! 0-4 in the tough trip that Anoeta usually is for us (1 out of 13 victories in previous seasons) Simeone's team is managing to win and convince the many skepticals that still doubt that the comeback is for good. Top spots of the chart have gone from far away and unreachable to just a few points away. The next match against Osasuna at Pamplona should set the trend and if Atleti manage to win we're in the fight for the Champions League spots for good. We'll see! This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfo

January 17th 2012 Episode 32-The One where the King Returned Oh boy did we need a win like this. Almost perfect match puts Atleti back in the fight to get to the top flight of La Liga with two very complicated away games against northern teams Real Sociedad and Osasuna. Bringing back a sack of points from our trip up north might prove crucial to maintain our aspirations to reach Champion League qualifying spots. Half a season to go. Go Atleti! And to fill in the spot left by Ricky who couldn't make it this week we bring back to the show Susanne Offermann our great friend with the sweet voice from the German Centuria Germana to talk about the match as well. You can, should and must follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Mirai_Torres We want to remind our listeners that you can now be our viewers! Download our post match videoanalysis from our site: http://www.thisisatleti.com/2012/01/video-analysis-atletico-de-madrid-3-villarreal-0/ This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Dere

January 12th 2012 Episode 31-The One before the Yellow Submarine We hosted rival yet good friend Ravi Ramineni the episode before Atleti receive Jose Francisco Molina's Villarreal. We get good insight on upcoming rival and yellow fans' expectations and hopes for what's rest of the season. As for Simeone's squad, we also analyze in depth his first match versus Malaga which ended in a goalless (and why not disappointing for many fans) draw. A strong physical Atleti favored attitude over an atractive playbook. Is this just a tipping point or is Simeone's team bounded to bore supporters? Ravi Ramineni writes for www.VillarrealUSA.com and ForzaFutbol www.forzafutbol.com as well as cohosts podcasts for both sites covering Villarreal news and La Liga debates. You can follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aupasubmarino This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes f

January 4th 2012 Episode 30-The First One in 2012 So it was true as everyone knew. Manzano was fired and Simeone hired. The voiced secret was followed by another well known fact. The team is utterly mismanaged. And in another attempt to prove everyone right the club is practically given Reyes away to a direct rival for petty cash just because they can't afford the salary they pay. Selling cheap buying expensive plus overpaid underperforming stars. Can it get any worse? Let's hope not. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleticos.com. Derek is part of the dutch Atletico Peña. He writes for and co owns A

December 21st 2011 Episode 29-The One when we said goodbye The one when we say goodbye...to the Copa tournament and most surely to Manzano. But most surely not not to recording yet one more episode in 2011 because of forthcoming and pressing events. A 0-1 defeat vs Albacete (1-3 aggregate) expells Atleti from the Copa del Rey tournament only three days after Betis defeated Atleti 0-2 in yet another shameful performance of our squad. 48 coaches in 24 years...coaching shredder 2 per annum! This shocking figure adds to Gil-Marin's and Cerezo's long list of managing errors that have the club indebted and in a constant state of suppporter frustration. We speak about it on the show. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes

December 14th 2011 Episode 28-The One when we were all waiting for Manzano to get sacked (but nothing happened) Well here we are again trying to recover from the two defeats and everything these days seem bad news: Benitez rejects taking over, Manzano's job looks more endangered than ever before and to make things worse Jose Marcos from el Pais unravels that Atleti owes way over 200 million euros to the national tax agency alone. Could things get worse? We know the answer is always yes here. Stay tuned. It won't sound nice but it's better to know the raw truth. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.com writes for US based ForzaFutbol and Madrid based magazine European Vibe. Ricardo Menendez co hosts the Spanish version of the show Esto es Atleti. He writes for www.forzaatleti.com and has contributed to www.lavidaenrojiblanco.com www.spanishfootball.info and www.madridatleti

December 5th 2011 Episode 27 The One when we left disappointed even though we won (twice) Atlético reaped two victories including a qualifying away win at Glasgow (something that hadn't happened since August) versus Celtic in Europa League and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Supporters seem far from happy though as they see season goals steeper and steeper to reach and the gap with the first places wideningmonth after month. Manzano far from convinces fans and now rumors of Reyes abandoning the squad flood sports media. Will La Perla go? We also receive two very special guests and good friends from our befriended German Peña Centura Germana: André Kahle (yes, he's on the payroll) and Susanne Offermann (at last an "atlética" on the show!) to tell us their trip to Glasgow and how they lived the group stage qualifier for Atlético that night. This is Atleti is cohosted by Ricardo Menéndez, Gary Nunn and Derek Maaijen (@rickyam, @madridatleticos @AtleticoFans on Twitter) Gary is cofounder of www.madridatleticos.co