Atletico Madrid
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tore into the officiating after his side's 2-0 home defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, raging over a second-half penalty call and Pau Cubarsi's red card that left his team a man down before halftime.
Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to score a lucky late winner in a 2-1 victory away to 10-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday that moved the defending champions seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table.
Barcelona attacker Raphinha will miss their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid early next month after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Brazil, the LaLiga side said.
Tottenham Hotspur's meltdown against Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash was a one-in-a-million occurrence, according to forward Dominic Solanke.
Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis tucked away a late equaliser to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw with Atletico Madrid in their Champions League playoff first leg on Wednesday as the Belgian side avoided defeat after an agonising own goal appeared to have cost them.
Atletico Madrid tore Barcelona apart with four first-half goals to secure a 4-0 victory on Thursday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, leaving the holders staring at a near impossible task in the return match.
Real Madrid booked a Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona after beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday, with early goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo either side of halftime setting them on course for victory.
Julian Alvarez scored twice in eight minutes to complete his hat-trick and hand Atletico Madrid a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory in LaLiga over Rayo Vallecano at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted his behaviour was unjustifiable after he was sent off following a heated altercation with a Liverpool fan following the home side's stoppage time winner in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid finally got their season up and running on Saturday, with Pablo Barrios and Nico Gonzalez on target in a 2-0 home victory over Villarreal that delivered the Spanish side's first win of the campaign.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said supporters had every right to feel frustrated with the team after his side were held to a 1-1 draw at home by promoted side Elche in a LaLiga match on Saturday despite taking the lead.
Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has left Atletico Madrid and will join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, the LaLiga club announced Friday.
Atletico Madrid have signed Spanish midfielder Alex Baena from Villarreal, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday, with the 23-year-old signing a five-year contract in a deal reportedly worth 50 million euros ($58.92 million) according to Spanish media.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has urged his side to keep up the momentum until the end of the season after a commanding 3-0 home win over city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Thursday strengthened their grip on third place in LaLiga.
Eliminated from the Champions League, Atletico suffered another massive blow with their Cup exit as they extended their winless run to six matches. All signs now point to a fourth consecutive trophy-less season as they trail leaders Barcelona by six points in the LaLiga standings.
Real Madrid fans and players celebrated their hard-fought win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to earn a quarter-final berth in the Champions League, but manager Carlo Ancelotti was more relieved than rapturous at what he said was a subpar performance.
Simeone said he was delighted with Alvarez's maturity and humility as well as his determination to work hard and stay focused despite a slow start in his debut season in the Spanish capital.
Simeone said he was inspired by how his players held firm following a straight red card for midfielder Pablo Barrios and they found a late equaliser through Alexander Sorloth to cancel out Iago Aspas's opener.
An eight-match winning streak in the LaLiga has lifted Atletico Madrid to the top of the standings and dreaming of a first league title in four years, but coach Diego Simeone insists on focusing on one match at a time.
Barcelona extended their poor run of form and slipped off the top of LaLiga by losing 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday but coach Hansi Flick urged his side to move on and come back stronger after the winter break.
