By Tonte Davies
Atletico Madrid win league after 18 years
It was a spark of wit, will and ambition on the final day of La Liga particularly, the match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. While Barcelona needed maximum three points to win the league trophy Atletico Madrid needed at least a draw to lift the trophy. Both sides probably bargained for the riveting encounter but not the final outcome of the game with a 1-1 draw.
Atletico Madrid suffered two injuries in the early minutes of the match: flying striker Diego Costa and attacking midfielder Arda Turan. Facial expressions of manager Diego Simeone and fans gave the feeling of ‘fat’ chance for los Rojiblancos. Both injured players limped off the field with their eyes welled with tears and their hopes probably dashed. The goal which followed from Alexis Sanchez’s lightening strike gave Barcelona an immediate edge before halftime.
Diego Godin’s header in the second half was evidence of Diego Simeone’s dressing room talk to the players during halftime. The result remained a stalemate till the final whistle was blown and it was clear Barcelona would end the season without a trophy. Barcelona’s trophyless season would be their first since Pep Guardiola’s departure as manager two seasons ago.
‘Tito’ Martino exits Barcelona
Gerardo ‘Tito’ Martino told his employers at Barcelona he would step down as manager of the team. The news came shortly after Barcelona lost the title race to Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Martino was employed before the start of the 2013/14 La Liga season. The Argentine would go down in the clubs history as the first non-European to be its [Barcelona] manager.
Gunners break 9-year trophyless drought
It was no doubt a huge sigh of relief for fans and admirers of Arsenal FC on Saturday. For the first time after nine years, the club lifted the FA Cup trophy with a defeat over Hull City FC in the finals. The club and its fans participated in the traditional victory parade on Sunday on the streets of north London. Clad in red and white, the streets of Islington Town Hall, Upper Street and Emirates Stadium road were ‘crowded’ by fans on the sidewalk waiting for a glimpse of the trophy.
Going 3,283 days and 512 games without a title, and eventually clinching one, Arsene Wenger confirmed he will sign a new deal with the club. “It was never a question of leaving, only doing what is right for this club,” Wenger said during a toast to their victory. Since after the victory parade, Arsene Wenger it is reported is expected to sign a three-year deal worth about £24 million.
Arsenal left-back, Kieran Gibbs who beamed at the fan turnout said “it’s something very special, I can’t believe how many people are here; this just reiterates how big the club is.” Gibbs states further that “now we’ve got the first hurdle out the way, hopefully it will give us a boost for the season to come.” Jack Wilshere told Sky Sports “it’s hard to find the words, we waited a long time for this; we waited nine years.” Wilshere added saying: “we had a tough run in the FA, so you can’t say we didn’t deserve it.”