Courtois : Ronaldo is great but so am I

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted he does not fear Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

The Portugal international has been in sublime form in Europe so far this season, netting 16 goals in 10 appearances, but Courtois is confident he has what it takes to deny the prolific attacker in this weekend's showpiece in Lisbon.

"I will not prepare in some special way for Ronaldo. I do not have any fear for him," Courtois was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Of course, he is a great player, but I am a great goalkeeper as well..."

Courtois then went on to stress that Atletico cannot afford to make the same mistakes Bayern Munich made in the semi-finals against Madrid and feels they should aim to put in a performance similar to that of Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

"We should learn from Dortmund's second-leg display against Madrid. They showed how it's done.

"Bayern's tactics were silly. They copied Barcelona's style of play and Madrid know all about this philosophy.

"Their players only need a few seconds to cross the entire pitch. They have the perfect weapon against possession-based football."

Atletico and Real Madrid have met four times so far this season, with Diego Simeone's men winning once, losing twice and drawing the remaining game.

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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview

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Tiago : We're living the dream

Atletico Madrid captain Tiago says this season is turning into a 'dream' after helping the Spanish league leaders reach the Champions League final by defeating his former side Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Diego Simeone's side have had plenty of admirers this term, impressing on both the domestic and European stages.

Atletico sit at the top of the Primera Division standings as the season enters the home straight and will now take on city rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 24.

They secured their place in Lisbon with an impressive 3-1 win at Chelsea in the semi-final second leg, where captain Tiago, who made 52 appearances for the Blues between 2004 and 2005, shone in midfield.

"Winning here is not easy," the former Portugal midfielder said. "We played well against a very good team and we are very happy to get to the final.

"We knew that if we scored a goal the situation for Chelsea would become more difficult.

"Scoring before half-time was very important for us as it gave us confidence. In the second half we were able to play in the spaces behind the Chelsea defence and we are very strong when we play like that.

"It is unbelievable for us to play this final. On Sunday, we have another 'final' against Levante and maybe we have a possibility to win the league title as well. This season is a dream."

Boyhood Atletico fan Fernando Torres had opened the scoring for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, only for Adrian to draw the visitors level before half-time.

Arda Turan struck after reported Blues target Diego Costa's penalty to make it 3-1 in the second half, with the latter proud of his side's display in west London.

"We've done everything to be in the final," Costa said. "We justly deserve to be in the final.

"The team was calm. Torres scored a goal but we knew a goal from us was worth double. The team has been amazing."

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Zola : Atletico Madrid were simply too good for Chelsea

Gianfranco Zola believes Atletico Madrid were simply too good for Chelsea and that Jose Mourinho's "cautious" tactics failed to work.

The Blues were dumped out of the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 second-leg defeat to the La Liga leaders on Wednesday.

The two sides carried a 0-0 first-leg draw into the tie at Stamford Bridge, giving Atletico a potential advantage with away goals, and Zola believes that situation proved decisive.

"It is always a risk when you go into the second game with a 0-0. If you're playing at home in the first leg of a Champions League game and you draw 0-0, then you are quite happy," the former Chelsea and Italy forward told Sky Sports News.

"In the second game, the pressure is on the home team and it can become difficult for them. In my opinion, Jose was trying to be cautious in the beginning to try to do something more aggressive in the end, when the opposition was more tired - but it didn't work out.

"Atletico Madrid is such a big team and in a perfect moment, so nothing could work against them - it's as simple as that.

"Sometimes when the opposition is so good then it's just part of football. On the day, Atletico were better."

Despite their exit from the Champions League, Chelsea still remain in a title fight with Liverpool and Manchester City, with two games to go, and Zola believes the club is getting stronger.

"Chelsea are very ambitious," added the former FWA Footballer of the Year. "Jose is such a good manager and I'm sure they will get better and stronger from yesterday's game.

"Their task is big. There are so many strong teams, especially in Europe, but Chelsea are a part of that."

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Suarez: Chelsea can't match Atletico's desire

Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez has insisted that Chelsea cannot match his side's desire ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Liga leaders head to London on Wednesday with plenty of confidence despite being held to a scoreless draw in the first leg in Madrid last week and Suarez, who is set to replace suspended captain Gabi in defensive midfield, has made it clear that Atletico cannot wait to take on Jose Mourinho's men again.

"We feel good, we're very up for this game," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"We've earned the right to be here. We feel very motivated.

"No one can beat us in terms of desire and, if we do things well, we feel we have a good chance."

Mourinho has come in for plenty of criticism over the way his team focused on defence in both their semi-final first leg in Madrid and against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, but Suarez does not expect the Chelsea manager's tactics to change too much at home.

"We expect them to be similar; they won't go crazy, although they'll probably be out to attack a bit more because they need a goal.

"But we know they'll look for their opponent to make mistakes. We need to do things well, try to take our chances."

Atleti last qualified for the final of the European Cup in 1974 when they lost to Bayern Munich.

This time around, local rivals Real Madrid await Diego Simeone's men if they manage to overcome Chelsea.

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Chelsea - Atletico Madrid Match Preview

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Scolari: I hope Atletico knock Chelsea out of Champions League

The 65-year-old would rather not see the Blues' Selecao stars - David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires - play in the final, just over two weeks before the World Cup starts

Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that he hopes Atletico Madrid knock former club Chelsea out of this season's Champions League.

The Blues battled their way to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their semi-final tie with the Rojiblancos at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night, thus putting Jose Mourinho's men in a good position to progress in next week's return at Stamford Bridge.

However, Scolari has freely admitted that he hopes Chelsea bow out for purely selfish reasons, as he would not like to see the English outfit's Brazil contingent - David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires - feature in the Champions League final, on May 24, just over two weeks before the start of the World Cup.

"To us, it would be better if Atletico eliminated Chelsea, because then I'd have four well-rested players," the Selecao coach told reporters on Thursday.

Indeed, Scolari confirmed that Chelsea defender Luiz will be one of the first names on his team sheet for this summer's World Cup.

"My chosen leaders are David Luiz, Julio César and Fred," he explained.

"I had already chosen them and I've been talking to them a little more during some trips.

"I have no doubts about my final list, but I will wait until the end of the leagues.

"I could have some last-minute problems, like [Napoli's] Henrique, who was in an accident.

"Not even [Carlos Alberto] Parreira, [Flavio] Murtosa or the chairman [Jose Maria Marin, CBF president] know about the final list.

"But we shouldn't have many surprises. You [the journalists] would probably guess 22 out of the 23."

Scolari also insisted that he has no doubts over the form of Neymar, who has been plagued by injuries, fluctuating form and off-the-field problems in his first season at Barcelona.

"Neymar will be very well received on the national team," the World Cup winner stated.

"My analysis of Neymar is very different from that of some Spanish critics.

"The moment his club is going through right now is not good but Brazil's style of play is very dfferent."

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Atletico Madrid vs Elche : Match preview

Probable Lineups

Missing Players

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Agent : Arsenal made Montolivo enquiry

Arsenal made an enquiry into the availability of AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivio, according to the player's agent, but it would be "very difficult" for the Italy international to leave San Siro.

The Gunners were in the market for midfield cover during the January transfer window, with Kim Kallstrom drafted in from Spartak Moscow after Aaron Ramsey's recovery stalled – though the Swede has yet to play for the north Londoners due to a back injury.

One player that caught Arsene Wenger's eye was Montolivo, says the Italian's representative Giovanni Branchini – though he insists the 29-year-old, also subject to interest from Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, is keen to stay at Milan.

"Milan have had a difficult season so far and I think I can say that Riccardo Montolivo has been one of the brightest notes," Branchini told Calciomercato.

"He became a fixture of the Rossoneri and was even given the captain's armband as proof. He is very happy with the club to which he belongs, and the club and fans are very satisfied with him.

"An extension? He has a contract until June 2016, so it is not a priority to talk about an extension at this time. That's a discussion we'll have, I think, next year.

"Has there been interest from other clubs? There have been tentative enquiries from Atletico Madrid, [Dortmund boss Jurgen] Klopp and Arsenal, to name a few.

"All were trying to ascertain whether the 'path' to Montolivo was feasible. At the moment, however, I feel it would be very difficult for the player to leave Milan, precisely because of what I said before."

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Arsenal prepare £32m offer for Chelsea target Diego Costa

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has a crisis with his forwards after stand-in Nicklas Bendtner sprained an ankle scoring in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Cardiff.

He will be out for at least six weeks and first-choice Olivier Giroud is also missing due to an ankle injury.

Costa, 25, has a £32m buyout clause in his Atletico Madrid contract and it would be a huge investment for the north Londoners following the £42.5m purchase of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in the summer.

Brazil-born striker Costa – who last year declared he wants to play for Spain – has scored a staggering 19 goals in just 17 La Liga appearances this season.

Starsport understands Chelsea are also keen on Costa, and were planning to make their move in the summer.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho maintains he will not sign a striker during this transfer window.

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Dortmund join the race to sign Arsenal and Chelsea target Diego Costa

Athletico have shown resistance to a move, but with Europe's elite lining up the Madrid club's resolve could be tested.

Chelsea are desperate for a potent striker as Samuel Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba continue to misfire and Arsene Wenger has made it clear he was not in the market for a midfielder, freeing up funds to try and get the Brazilian to the Emirates.

But with Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski due to announce any day that he is leaving Borussia for bitter rivals Bayern Munich at the end of the season they also need to act fast.

And if they miss out on Costa there aren't many top quality strikers available for the £34m release clause listed in the Brazilian's contract.

The Atletico Madrid hierarchy have been talking tough, but if one of the big clubs sniffing around Costa cough up the cash the decision will be take out of their hands.

Radamel Falcao's transfer from Atletico to Monaco last season seems to have given Costa a new lease of life and he has moved out of the shadows of the bustling Colombian, scoring 23 goals in 20 appearances this term.

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Simeone : It would be an honour to coach Inter

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has stated that it would be an "honour" to take charge of Inter.

Simeone played for Inter between 1997 and 1999 and helped them to a Uefa Cup triumph in 1998.

The Argentine has since guided Atletico to glory in the Europa League, Super Cup and Copa del Rey after taking over the club in 2011, but did add he has no desire to leave his current post just yet.

"Inter? It would be an honour," Simeone told Il Giornale. "But for now, all that talk is left to the newspapers.

"I see myself at Atletico Madrid for some time yet. Some say I might become the (Alex) Ferguson of the Colchoneros."

Atletico are level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona going into the second half of the season and Simeone, who won the Spanish title as a player with Atletico in 1996, has his eye on repeating the feat as a coach.

"It would be stupid not to think about that (winning the league)," Simeone added. "Especially in light of the league position."

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Caminero : Diego Costa is not leaving

Atletico Madrid sporting director Jose Luis Caminero told to the media that its impossible that Diego Costa is going to leave the Vicente Calderon in January.

There have been speculations of a potential exit has been fuelled by the €38 million release clause of Atletico's star contract.

Caminero also insists that the 25-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in 17 league games, will not be leaving the club, despite interest from big clubs in Europe.

“Right now, Costa does not think of leaving, he is hooked with Atletico,” he explained in an interview with Marca.

Under the management of head coach Diego Simeone, Atletico have gradually bridged the gap between themselves and city rivals Real and currently sit joint top of La Liga with Barcelona.

Nevertheless, a regular theme in recent years has been the departure of key players – most recently the summer sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco – but Caminero is not interested in selling more top stars.

The sporting director continued: “Diego is happy here. He just renewed his contract, demonstrating that he wants to stay here,

“He knows how this club works, money won't be a problem."

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Arsenal watching Diego Costa as a potential January transfer window move

Arsenal have been scouting Diego Costa but remain doubtful about their prospects of signing the Atletico Madrid striker in January.

Costa’s brilliant start to the season has alerted interest in his situation but he has been watched by Arsenal since last season and it is understood that there would be a reluctance to immediately stretch to a buyout clause which is reportedly in excess of £30 million.

Arsenal, though, are actively interested and aware that he is one of the few leading strikers in Europe who is potentially available in January. Chelsea, who are also looking for a striker, are another club monitoring Costa's situation.

There have been no bids at this stage and, after the misunderstanding last summer over Luis Suarez’s possible “buyout” clause, Arsenal would want to know where they stand before formalising their interest.

Costa has replaced Radamel Falcao this season as Atletico’s talisman and has scored 21 goals in 21 games.

His form, however, means that he is pushing for a place in the Spain World Cup summer next year – should he succeed in switching his allegiance from Brazil - and there is an argument that his immediate international ambitions would be better served by staying in La Liga.

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Arda Turan with Atletico Madrid until 2017

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that attacker Arda Turan has signed a three-year contract extension with the club, keeping him at the Vicente Calderon until 2017.

Turan, who netted in the 3-1 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League Group G game on Wednesday, expressed his delight at extending his stay in the Spanish capital, describing the club as a "big family".

"I feel very happy to have extended my contract with Atletico," he told the club's official website.

"After two years with the Atletico shirt, I feel like part of the family, which is this club. I am happy the club want me to continue, it is thanks to my colleagues for all that we are achieving together.

"Not only do I have to thank my team-mates, but the directors and all those who work at the club, because all of us are in this big family."

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All Chelsea Spanish players out of the list

Full Squad of SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM:

Goalkeepers:
Iker Casillas	Real Madrid
Victor Valdes	Barcelona
Pepe Reina	Napoli
Defenders:
Nacho Monreal	Arsenal
Alvaro Arbeloa	Real Madrid
Raul Albiol	Napoli
Sergio Ramos	Real Madrid
Inigo Martinez	Real Sociedad
Jordi Alba	Barcelona
Midfielders
Jesus Navas	Manchester City
Santi Cazorla	Arsenal
Koke	Atletico madrid
Sergio Busquets	Barcelona
Mario Suarez	Atletico Madrid
Xavi Hernandez	Barcelona
Andres Iniesta	Barcelona
David Silva	Manchester City
Isco	Real Madrid
Cesc Fabregas	Barcelona
Attackers:
David Villa	Atletico Madrid
Alvaro Negredo	Manchester City
Roberto Soldado	Tottenham
Pedro	Barcelona

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