Atletico Madrid manager Stephen Gordon spoke to the press after their Inter-Wing Cup match against Barcelona.

(On the result and performance in the match): “To the neutral that couldn’t have been a particularly good match to watch, both teams were quite cautious until the first goal went in. Again we changed the team and tactics and I think the players performed well and did a good job in fighting back to get the point. I am happy with the draw and more importantly we don’t have any injury or suspension worries.”

(On any players that stood out): “The only player I noticed was young Logan up front, the 16-yr old had a very good debut and took his goal well. Vennegoor also played well whilst the midfield had quite a quiet game in my opinion. You could see that a few players looked uncomfortable with the slower build-up play so maybe that explains the lacklustre performances.”

(On continuing to experiment in the IWC): “With no youth players this season and a focus on promotion paramount it means that the cup competitions, not just the IWC, will take a backseat in our priorities. We have experimented and got four points from six so far, therefore we will continue to tryout fringe players and different tactics in order to protect our main players for the league campaign.”

(On the upcoming league match against FC Porto): “This match represents our toughest challenge so far this season and one of the key matches in the promotion race in division two. Porto are a quality team with a good manager that can beat anyone on their day. We need to be careful and ensure that we are not bullied out of the game and don’t show too much respect to them or we will be beaten. The tactics are in place and will be worked on in training this week to prepare.”

(On any early rule-outs for the Porto game): “Fleck has an injury that will keep him out of contention and Logan and Cuellar will both travel with the reserve team rather than be involved with the first team. They are both young and the reserves is the best place for them to improve. Apart from that we have a full squad to choose from and De_Pedro should make his debut in defence.”

Atletico Madrid manager Stephen Gordon spoke to the press after his teams return from their league match against FC Porto.

(On the result gained in Porto): “I am happy to come away with a point, but find myself although thinking that we should maybe have got all three. We had the majority of the possession and created a lot of chances, so there is some disappointment at only coming away with a draw. That was our target at the beginning but on another day one or more of those chances may have ended up in the back of the net. This is the hardest league game we will have this season and it fills me with confidence how well the players played throughout the match.”

(On the tactics and performance): “The tactics were designed to take control of midfield and hope that our midfielders could get up in support of the lone striker without giving up that control. I think the tactics worked very well and the team performed well, the only thing that was missing was a goal or two. Defensively we were solid again, especially Gordon and De_Pedro, who had a nice debut.”

(On the team’s start to the season): “That’s five games played now and we are still undefeated. Three wins and two draws is a good return so far and sitting top of the league after having played two tough away games. The players have clicked very well so far and I have noticed a big difference with not having any youth players involved this season. Other teams around us are playing youths so hopefully that will help us in our aim to get promotion.”

Atletico Madrid manager Stephen Gordon spoke at the press conference following the home match against Anderlecht.

(On the final result of the game): “3-0 is always a good victory, and I don’t think anyone will say that we didn’t deserve to win by such a margin. We dominated the match from start to finish and the game was probably over when we scored the second goal. Very happy with the result that leaves us top of the league and with a healthy goal difference at this stage.”

(On the performance of the players): “Everyone played their part in this victory, although Imhof and the defence didn’t really have much to do as most of the play was in Anderlecht’s half of the pitch. Vicente had a great game in midfield, all of his passes came off and he bossed the middle third. Burke was the most adventurous with regards to getting forward, and his typifies exactly why we paid all that money for him. Pazzini and Wanchope caused their defence no end of worries, they were helped by Anderlecht only playing three defenders but still had to score the goals.”

(On how the league table is setting up): “We are now clear at the top by three points which is great for us at this stage. We are usually slow starters but the players seem to have bucked the trend so far this season, even with all the changes that have been made. We need to remain focused as our next game in the league is against Lyon, who are not playing well just now but have been a bogey team for us in the past. We have already played Feyenoord and Porto away, so I believe that’s our two hardest games out of the way.”

(On preparations for the IW match up next): “Again, we will be resting some starters and bringing in some reserves to keep the players as fresh as possible. The tactics haven’t been decided upon but we will look to try something different out as an experiment. Anything we get from the cup tournaments this season is a bonus as we fully focus on finally achieving promotion.”

(On rumours regarding Pizarro leaving): “We received an enquiry about Pizarro but negotiations never got far, with a price for his transfer unable to be agreed. I have spoken to him about this and he is perfectly happy to stay at the Vicente Calderon. He will be a big player for us this season so I am happy that he will not be leaving, no club wants to lose important players if they plan on achieving anything.”

Ambition high at Juventus

The news report opens outside Juventus training ground. The scene shows the squad of players sitting down, looking up at manager Robert Dalling bellowing orders, not looking to be in the best of moods. This marks the first time the press have been given an opportunity to interview Juventus manager Robert Dalling in three seasons. After waiting patiently, our reporter Alan McD sat down with Dalling, ahead of this saturdays big league clash with PSG, in this candid interview.

ALAN: Mr Dalling, thankyou for giving up your time. It is a pleasure to have you with us after such a long hiatus from the media. But im under pressure to ask, why did you suddenly close all doors to the Media? As im sure your aware you have been criticised heavily for seasons about this.

DALLING: Criticism? Do you think after being manager of this team for fourteen seasons that criticism bothers me? You certainly are an amateur Mr McD. But in respect to you, which i havent got much of, i will answer your question. The only feedback since Juventus have had since season 9 is negative. The amount of disrespect that the media have had for our club since then has been disgraceful. I'll pose a question to you Mr McD. Your a local newspaper. Do you think this helps the moral of the team? It doesnt. It came to a point where i had to make the decision to ban all access for the ultimate progression of the club.

ALAN: Lets be realistic here Mr Dalling, your team has took dramatic backward steps in the past few seasons, any criticism you have recieved is definitely warranted. You were relegated from the Premiership last season and your squad is looking in the worst way strength wise that it has been for a long time at the Stadio Del Alpi. You used to a dedicated manager that kept his squad as strong as possible and made your club extremely hard to beat by any club in the country. You have to accept that you've taken your eye off the ball Mr Dalling, this club is going backwards not forwards, the fans have faith in you, you need to give something back.

DALLING: I dont accept this Mr McD. Your being very unreasonable. Excluding last season, i've always managed to keep Juventus amongst the top of the crop in this game with alot less resources than anyone else around us. We've been third place in the Premiership twice in the past and if this wasent obtained at very worst we finished in fourth or fifth positions. We've never been this giant club with massive players, but weve always given the teams who are a massive run for their money. The club as you see it now is in great transition, we cannot carry on as we have been in the past anymore as players are getting older, and something has to be done to turn this around. This is why your seeing young stars being fed in to first team procedures slowly, such as Myskina and Chiellini. We want to elevate this club to be at the stature of the clubs around us in the next three seasons, but for this to happen it requires patience.

ALAN: Time will tell whether this will happen Mr Dalling, but i wish you luck. Switching gears now, i'd like to discuss your upcoming clash with PSG if you dont mind.

DALLING: Not at all. I have a lot of respect for Dave. We go way back, we were friends when he was in Division 3 and he is always one of the teams results that i look for on a Saturday. I'm also glad to see how we'll hes done since being promoted. Two wins from two is a great way to stake your claim on the division. But what Dave has to understand is friendship aside, the road ends here. PSG have been promoted to Division 1, the highest level they have played at, but they need to realise despite their great start they are now amongst the big boys and will soon realise after the results of Saturday that they are in too deep. You see PSG are an impressive outfit, but not the calibre of Juventus. I know one day they will be, but not today. Not yet. I look forward to giving them the first of two footballing lessons this season, and one which will be sure to send them crashing back to earth with a thud.
With this, Robert Dalling turns away and heads back to the training ground he was before starting the interview, time will tell whether anything will materialise from Dalling's big words, but they are certainly interesting ones for the future of Juventus and to the clash on Saturday. Back to the studio.