Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has hailed the impact that Diego Simeone has made on Atletico Madrid.
Simeone took control of Atletico as the club struggled toward the end of 2011 and turned around their fortunes by engineering a fifth-placed finish in La Liga and a Europa League triumph.
The capital side have since continued their improvement under Simeone s tenure, occupying second place in the Spanish top flight, and the 24-year-old believes their rise towards becoming a major outfit has been aided by the Argentine s managerial nous.
They have become a rival this season because with nearly half the season gone, they are near the top of the table, Busquets told reporters ahead of Sunday s match between the two sides at Camp Nou.
Atletico finishe…
Roma midfielder David Pizarro intends to end his career at the Serie A club, despite being loaned out to Manchester City in January.
The Chile international played just five games for City, with the 32-year-old also hinting at a fractious relationship with manager Roberto Mancini.
I returned to Rome from Manchester, and I don t intend to move again, the one-time Inter man told Il Romanista.
I feel at home here. I ll go on vacation for a few weeks, and then come back to hopefully finish my career here.
I still have a year left on my contract and have no intention of leaving. I am very motivated to try and help the club get back in to Europe.
I also became a father for the third time in November, and I want my son to be a Roman.
Pizar…