ISRAEL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Europa League holders Atletico Madrid train in Israel ahead of their opening Group B clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv

Record ID: 397503

  • Title: ISRAEL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Europa League holders Atletico Madrid train in Israel ahead of their opening Group B clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv
  • Date: 20th September 2012
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (SEPTEMBER 19, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ATLETICO MADRID PLAYERS IN TRAINING SESSION ATLETICO MADRID COACH DIEGO SIMEONE HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ATLETICO MADRID COACH DIEGO SIMEONE SPEAKING OF NOT BRINGING ALL HIS TOP PLAYERS, SAYING: "We still have Cata (Díaz) who I think is a top player; the Turkish captain in Emre; Raúl Garc
  • Embargoed: 5th October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAD4YDBVTIV6DMTN8106M9NCCAI
  • Story Text: Hapoel Tel Aviv and Europa League champions Atletico Madrid were making last-minute preparations in Israel on Wednesday (September 19) for their opening Group B match in this season's competition on Thursday.
    Atletico, fresh from August's Super Cup triumph against Champions League winners Chelsea, looked confident of continuing their streak of 13 straight wins in European competitions.
    Israeli media reported that Atletico Madrid had arrived without five of their players, including Colombian forward Falcao, defenders Diego Godin and Filipe Luis and midfielders Tiago and Gabi.
    However, Atletico manager Diego Simeone said he had brought with him a competitive team.
    "We still have Cata (Díaz) who I think is a top player; the Turkish captain in Emre; Raúl García who scored 12 goals at Osasuna; and Diego Costa who scored 11 at Rayo (Vallecano). Cristian Rodriquez is an ex-player of Porto and is very important, because we have a competitive team and we aspire to (win) regardless of who plays."
    Cristian Rodriguez himself said Hapoel were motivated.
    "What we know is that they are doing well in the championship, [they won their last three games]. They are a team that is motivated and they want to demonstrate why they are in the UEFA, which is something that is not easy. We hope that tomorrow will be a great game and hopefully the outcome will be in our favour"
    Hapoel, one of Israel's most successful clubs in recent years both at home and in European club competitions, eased into the group stage after a 7-1 aggregate win over Dudelange of Luxembourg. Their unbeaten European run now stretches to five matches and they have won their past four.
    "This match is a serious challenge. There are moments in soccer that accompany you for many many years. I hope that tomorrow this match will be such a moment, a moment that my players will cherish for a long time, a moment that will improve their skills and make them meet the demands. these are my expectations," Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Nitzan Shirazi told his news conference on Wednesday.
    This will be the first match coached by Shirazi after he underwent an urgent operation to remove a brain tumour at the beginning of September.
    The two teams have never met before and Thrusday's match will be Atlético's first clash against an Israeli club.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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