Diego Simeone

Atlético Madrid's defense was back at its best on Feb. 18, too good even for the European champions.

Atlético Madrid scored early and then defended superbly to beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League's round of 16 on Tuesday, spoiling the defending champion's return to the place where it won the European title last year.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke with an air of resignation when asked if the club can stop Antoine Griezmann from leaving.

After painful defeats in recent continental finals, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid is determined to justify their status as favorites in the Europa League showpiece against Marseille in Lyon on May 16.

Galatasaray is going through turbulent times and now must play a win-or-die game on Nov. 24 when it travels to Spain for a Champions League Group C match against Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona announced July 6 the signing of Turkish international midfielder Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid on a five-year deal for a fee that could reach 41 million euros ($45 million).

A club statement said Barcelona will pay an initial fee of 34 million euros with a potential 7 million euros more in bonuses.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been a constant thorn in Real Madrid's side this season but April 22's Champions League clash at the Bernabeu was a bridge too far for the Argentine and his overachieving side.

From the highs of success on the hard court and some striking prowess from a little-known footballer named Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the incompetent and downright tragic, Turkish sports have produced several headlines transcending the mere athletic arena

THE GOOD:

Istanbul volleyball powerhouse Vakıfbank advances to final of ÇEV Women's Champions League
March 16, 2014

Greek champion Olympiakos faces a tough task if it is to prevent last season's beaten finalist Atletico Madrid sealing its passage into the last 16 of the Champions League at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Costas Mitroglou banished the memories of his disappointing spell in England after breaking a 10-month goal drought as Olympiakos Piraeus secured a thrilling 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

A rousing 2-1 La Liga victory at Real Madrid on Saturday may suggest otherwise, but Atletico Madrid is still rebuilding after losing several key players in the close season, coach Diego Simeone said on Monday.