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Soren-Mikael Hansen, Politiken, Denmark
“Overcoming the early loss of two key players, the massive pressure from Camp Nou fans and a goal down to become champions of Spain must make Atletico team of the week - possibly the year.”
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Federico Giammeria, La Voz, Argentina
“Why (Diego) Godin? Because he synthesizes everything: his grip, his ambition, his South American ancestry and how to translate what (Atletico coach Diego) Simeone wants.”
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James Porteous, South China Morning Post
“Diego Simeone’s achievement with the debt-ridden club (Atletico Madrid), a team that cost about as much as Gareth Bale’s left foot, has echoes of the young Alex Ferguson upsetting the Old Firm dominance in Scotland in the 80s.”
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Shintaro Kano, Kyodo news agency, Japan
“Not only did Atletico hold off Barcelona and Real (Madrid) and never lost at home to win La Liga, they have also managed to reach the Champions League final against their derby rivals while operating on a far smaller budget than the titans of Europe - like Manchester United.”
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Marco Monteverde, News Corp. Australia
“They didn’t win the game, but Atletico’s effort to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp was a performance to savour as it secured them a deserved La Liga title.”
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Julian Bennetts, Hayters news agency, England
“Aaron Ramsey has been the hero for Arsenal time and again this season, and Saturday was no different. Two goals down within eight minutes against Hull, he scored the winner as Arsenal ended their trophy drought in nervous, fraught fashion.”
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Chris Tait, The Herald, Scotland
“Atletico Madrid tasted title success and then swallowed hard; a first League championship in 18 years is to be followed by the opportunity to add the club’s first Champions League trophy. After such a compelling campaign, can Atletico clear one last hurdle?”
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Mark Rodden, Eurosport, France
“There were many great achievements to admire in a week when Arsenal ended its trophy drought, Juventus broke the 100-point barrier in Italy and Bayern Munich sealed a league and cup double.”
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Richard Jolly, ESPN, England
“A year on from delivering the crucial goal in the Champions League final, Arjen Robben did the same in the German Cup final.
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Paolo Condo, Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy
“Atletico Madrid’s Liga in my opinion was the story of the decade. And it could not be over.”
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Aurelio Capaldi, RAI Sport, Italy
“One of the key players in this Atletico Madrid team years is Filipe Luis. He was brilliant, intelligent and effective on the left side. It’s hard to understand why Mr. (Luiz Felipe) Scolari didn’t pick him for his Brazilian World Cup squad. The feeling is he’s going to regret it.”
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