Who is Atletico Madrids Player of the Season? Goal nominates the top three stand-out performers for Diego Simeones side in 2013-14. Vote for your winner in our poll Bet £5£10£20£50£100= FCB Draw ATM Bet £5£10£20£50£100= FCB Draw ATM Bet £5£10£20£50£100= FCB Draw ATM Atletico Madrid have already surpassed all expectations in the 2013-14 season. The club now sit two games away from securing the best campaign in their history. After a stunning first half of the season, the Vicente Calderon side lost in both legs to city rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final and suffered defeats in La Liga to Almeria and Osasuna as their campaign threatened to collapse during February. Since then, though, Atleti have lost only once in 17 matches and need a point against Barcelona to secure the Liga title. They have also defeated Barca and Chelsea on the way to a Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 24, meaning an historic double is within touching distance. Below, in alphabetical order, are Goals three nominees for the sides player of the season, based on their club performances in all competitions. Cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of the article. After the departure of last season’s superstar striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco, David Villa was brought in to replace the constant flow of goals that were to be lost with the Colombian’s exit. While the ex-Barcelona man has chipped in with 15, it is in fact Diego Costa – a forward who was already at the Vicente Calderon – who has made light of the latest star-studded attacking departure and may well have secured a big-money move of his own by producing a superb campaign. The adopted Spain international, who formerly represented Brazil, has found the net 27 times in La Liga from 33 starts and netted a total of 36 goals in all competitions. After a staggering start to the season saw him reach a goalscoring tally of 23 by Christmas, his best performance of the campaign came as he scored a double in a man-of-the-match display in the 4-1 win over AC Milan in the last-16 second leg in March. Despite being a Chelsea player, Thibaut Courtois is fast becoming part of the furniture at Atletico Madrid. The Belgian shot stopper is coming to the end of his third season on loan at Diego Simeone’s men and few would be surprised if that is extended to a fourth successive year in red and white by the end of the summer. This year has seen the goalkeeping star make vital contributions, particularly in Europe. His best displays arguably came in both legs of his side’s Champions League quarter-final success against Barcelona, while he also thwarted his parent club with an excellent performance in the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge. His big game pedigree was also underlined in domestic action by a vital display as Atletico beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabeu in September, with his recent mistake against Malaga certainly an aberration. While he may seem like an unfashionable choice compared to Diego Costa, Koke, Arda Turan and some of the more attack-minded players in the squad, there is no doubt that Diego Godin deserves recognition for a magnificent campaign. The 28-year-old Uruguay international is enjoying the best season of his career as part of a consistently excellent back four that also includes Juanfran, Miranda and Filipe Luis. Atletico comfortably have the best defensive record in La Liga with an impressive record of just 25 goals conceded from 37 matches. Godin, who has also chipped in with four goals, was a vital component in the club’s stunning run of nine clean sheets in 11 games up until April 27, which saw them move into the Champions League final and seize control of the title race. Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 Sign up with bet365 for a 100% deposit bonus up to £200 Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets #Goal
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:09:27 +0000
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