Related News
Atletico coach on the brink after Copa exit
Source: Agencies |
December 23, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ATLETICO Madrid was dumped out of the Copa del Rey 3-1 on aggregate by third-tier Albacete on Wednesday in what may prove to be a humiliating swan song for embattled coach Gregorio Manzano.
On a night of last-32, second leg upsets, Atletico's struggling La Liga rival Villarreal also suffered the ignominy of being eliminated by third-tier opposition when it fell 0-2 at home to Mirandes to exit 1-3 on aggregate.
The reverse at the Madrigal prompted the departure of coach Juan Carlos Garrido, with the club hovering just above the relegation places in the league following a spate of injuries to key players.
Real Zaragoza, which is bottom of La Liga, was undone by second-division Alcorcon 1-3 over the two legs and Cordoba, also of the second tier, claimed the scalp of top-flight side Real Betis on the away goals rule after the tie finished 2-2.
After losing last week's first leg 1-2 at Albacete, which has local hero Andres Iniesta as a major shareholder and the name of the Barcelona midfielder's vineyard across its shirt fronts, Atletico conceded after just under 20 seconds at its Calderon stadium. The Manchegans stole the ball immediately following the kickoff and forward Victor Curto surged forward before sending a low drive skidding into the bottom corner.
Atletico had plenty of possession but hardly threatened the visitors' goal and exit the competition amid media reports an agreement with former Argentina captain Diego Simeone to replace Manzano has already been sealed.
Simeone, a fan favorite when he played for Atletico, quit as coach of Argentine side Racing Club on Tuesday.
On a night of last-32, second leg upsets, Atletico's struggling La Liga rival Villarreal also suffered the ignominy of being eliminated by third-tier opposition when it fell 0-2 at home to Mirandes to exit 1-3 on aggregate.
The reverse at the Madrigal prompted the departure of coach Juan Carlos Garrido, with the club hovering just above the relegation places in the league following a spate of injuries to key players.
Real Zaragoza, which is bottom of La Liga, was undone by second-division Alcorcon 1-3 over the two legs and Cordoba, also of the second tier, claimed the scalp of top-flight side Real Betis on the away goals rule after the tie finished 2-2.
After losing last week's first leg 1-2 at Albacete, which has local hero Andres Iniesta as a major shareholder and the name of the Barcelona midfielder's vineyard across its shirt fronts, Atletico conceded after just under 20 seconds at its Calderon stadium. The Manchegans stole the ball immediately following the kickoff and forward Victor Curto surged forward before sending a low drive skidding into the bottom corner.
Atletico had plenty of possession but hardly threatened the visitors' goal and exit the competition amid media reports an agreement with former Argentina captain Diego Simeone to replace Manzano has already been sealed.
Simeone, a fan favorite when he played for Atletico, quit as coach of Argentine side Racing Club on Tuesday.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
