Atletico’s season falling apart after consecutive losses to Real Madrid and Barcelona

By TALES AZZONI The Associated Press
Updated: March 17, 2025 - 4:10 PM
Published: March 17, 2025 - 2:02 PM
Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Jan Oblak, left, dives but fails to save the goal from Barcelona's Ferran Torres during a La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Bernat Armangue]

MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid’s promising season has turned into great disappointment in a matter of days. Atletico looked poised for a deep run in the Champions League and was holding steady at the top of the Spanish league, in position to fight for both titles. Then came a pair of setbacks, both at home and in heart-breaking fashion. First it was a penalty shootout loss last Wednesday to Real Madrid in the round of 16 in the Champions League, and four days later a 4-2 defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish league after Diego Simeone’s team had led 2-0 midway through the second half.

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