Atletico Madrid Continous Play

Atletico Madrid meet the ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League group phase this season. This was in line with the 2-0 victory (1-0) over Panathinaikos at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Madrid, yesterday morning (26 / 8). Atletico away with 5-2 aggregate win 3-2 for the first meeting in Athens, Greece, 19 August.

Qualify for the group phase is successful the second time for the Atletico succession. Los Colchoneros last season (nickname Atletico) drove after removing the German club Schalke 04 with a 4-1 aggregate score.

Escape of Spain Atletico maintain tradition that always puts the four representatives in the Champions League group phase in the last three editions. Atletico followed Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Sevilla who qualify directly.

The last time Spain only put three representatives in the Champions League season 2006/2007. It happened after Osasuna left out in the qualifying phase by Hamburg SV (Germany).

They start with a 3-2 victory in the first fight, Atletico's position was on the wind. When action has been running for four minutes, Panathinaikos defender Loukas Vyntra kick the ball deflect Atletico striker Diego Forlan. Although slow ball speed, Panathinaikos goalkeeper Mario Galinovic dead step. Also hosts 1-0 ahead.

Panathinaikos slumped further when Djibril Cisse expelled from the field in the 70th minute. Former Liverpool striker and Olympique Marseille's French red card immediately rewarded because treat roughly Atletico midfielder Paulo Assunção. With the advantage of players, establishing host victory over Sergio Aguero scored in the 83rd minute.

"In the game, we did not perform as good as the first meeting. However, the main target of qualifying for the Champions League group phase has been fulfilled. These results are well worth of capital to start the competition (Spanish Primera Liga, Red)," said Abel Resino, entrenador (coach) Atletico , told Marca.

Kickoff Primera Liga season 2009/2010 will be struck this weekend. Atletico contra melakoni first action Malaga hosts at La Rosaleda Sunday (30 / 8). "I believe these positive results can be transmitted in Malaga," said Atletico's legendary goalkeeper's 1986-1995 period.

How Panathinaikos response? Coach Henk ten Cate rapid rate Atletico goal as the main cause of defeat. Moreover, Panathinaikos lost team captain and playmaker Giorgos Karagounis a few hours before kickoff because of leg swelling.

"In tactics, the players are running instructions. Only, goals against too fast and we could not get up until the end of the game," said Ten Cate told Spanish sports daily AS.