Atletico Madrid held a 'Night of Welcome' for the second year and opened the Metropolitano for the fans to give their new signing sessions and current team a hot reception prior to their first home game of the season. However, the head of the event on Thursday was a sour tone in a largely positive night.
Los Colchoneros had a number of new faces to present to the fans, with eight signing sessions that have already been made for the first team. They were enjoyed themselves, with some even bouncing on the song 'Madridista if you don't jump'. In particular, Julian Alvarez and Diego Simeone received loud receptions from the crowd with just over 35,000 fans who are present on Thursday evening, according to Diario ALS.
Although it was partially drowned out by the stage broadcaster, there was a clear number of anger and whistles for right-wing Nahuel Molina Audible while he walked out of the tunnel to greet the fans. The Argentina International is connected to a switch from the club this summer and has become the object of important criticism of part of Atletico fans in the past year or two.
His Juventus is said to be interested in signing Molina, but the clubs are reportedly about € 10 million apart in their appreciation from him. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the club is open to an exit, Molina has rejected the opportunity to become a member of the Bianconeri, while he would rather stay in Atletico. This season he is confronted with heavy competition for his place, with Marcos Llorente and new signing of Marc Pubill, both in fight.
Captain Koke Resurreccion and Diego Simeone were entrusted with the last words of the night, the first promised that the players would leave their souls on the field and that big things would come. Simeone had the following to say, while he held the crowd 48 hours before their first home collision with Elche.
“The growth of the club is huge, and we have to ensure. Always be together, we can continue to grow the way we are now. I don't doubt it: we are going to compete. We are going to try to make you feel just as important as we feel on the field. To do what you would do if you were on the field.”