The End Of The Year Atlético Awards: The Good

By: Al | June 8th, 2009

It’s only been a week, but boy do I feel like a sleazebag not updating this page when the other Liga pages are hard at work. But whatever, I’m back now to give you all transfer rumors and the such.

Instead of writing a long and boring review of the entire season, I’ll throw a little award ceremony, with booze and hot chicks included. Everyone invited. Bring your friends too, because I need to fill up these seats.

So ladies and gentlemen, I present….. the first annual Atlético Madrid Offside awards, The Good Edition. I’ll do my best not to give Forlan the award for every category, even the ones he doesn’t even belong to.

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*applause*

Thank you, thank you. I’ll get right down to business.

Best new signing: Johnny Heitinga

Surprise that I didn’t pick Tomas Ujfalusi, who was a fixed starter for pretty much the whole season. The thing is…. I see much more fire in Heitinga than many other players on the team, and he’ll do wonders for us in the next few years (three years left on his contract). At the beginning of the year, he was responsible for a couple of penalties that cost us a couple of points, because he was put at center back, his “natural” position which he is a little too clumsy in. Nothing against the Dutch, but defense isn’t usually their strongest point because the defense is always first and foremost the first line of attack. When Johnny was put as a right back against Barcelona he scored a goal in the first two minutes (and it was disallowed). Johnny is balls to the wall and the fact that he was signed to play as a center back is kinda funny, because he pretty much took Perea’s spot on the right and will probably stay there next season. A very, smart signing.

Honorable mention: Tomas Ujfalusi. On paper, a terrific signing, considering he was the captain of both Fiorentina and the Czech national team, and a versatile defender to boot. I wish the award could end in a tie… but whatever.

Defender of the year: Tomas Ujfalusi

Aha! See how Heitinga was the best signing but not the best defender? *point and smile*

*the audience laughs*

The center back spot was shaky to begin with, and every player that occupied it had a few slips all season, slips that have cost us important points. Ujfalusi was very solid this season but obviously, matches like the 6-1 against Barca and 5-1 against Racing couldn’t have been everybody but Ujo’s fault. Simply put, he wasn’t perfect but he did a great job. AUPA UJFALUSI

Honorable mention: Johnny Heitinga. He didn’t get the award because of the last-minute penalty against Real Madrid and Numancia. Still, an awesome player.

Midfielder of the year: Simao Sabrosa

He saved our asses way too many times this year, against the first Madrid derby (free kick) and the equalizer against Liverpool. He is the team’s genius. He had some iffy games but he could always be counted on for excellent crosses and set pieces. When he was on the field with Sinama-Pongolle which wasn’t often, it was almost always a guaranteed goal each game. His performance in the 4-4 against Villarreal was absolutely brilliant; that was his match of the year.

Honorable mention: Maxi Rodriguez. He is a cocky bastard, but that doesn’t make him a bad player. He played as Simao Lite, with decent crosses but way too many shots on goal that he couldn’t score. He doest he job but that’s about it. It’s no surprise that Sinama-Pongolle subbed him in a couple of games because Maxi isn’t untouchable like the rest of the attack force. His best game was surprisingly, as a striker, and that was away to Liverpool where he scored the 0-1.

Forward of the year: Diego Forlan. Do I have to explain myself?

Honorable mention: Sergio “Kun” Aguero. He was invisible for waaaay too many matches. Outshined by Forlan in everything. However, he shined in the 4-3 victory over Barca.

Keeper of the year: Leo Franco

This one is a given, as he was a fixed starter for almost the entire season. Had many great games and didn’t let us down.

Honorable mention: Gregory Coupet. I don’t know what to think. Coupet is class, and did more than enough to prove himself in the match away to Marseille, but Abel Resino definitely doesn’t believe in rotating keepers so he left Gregory on the bench. It’s a shame. Now that Leo Franco will be gone, I hope Gregory stays and becomes the main keeper for his remaining year here.

Match of the year: 4-3 against Barcelona

We were being battered by the greatest team in the world, goals from Henry and Messi and the score was 0-2. Immediately after Messi’s goal, Forlan completely owns Victor Valdes and begins the comeback. A Kun Aguero goal, an Henry goal, a Forlan penalty, a Puyol fuckup and another Aguero goal later, the game was ours. Phenomenal game.

And now… the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

Player of the year: Diego Martin Forlan, turning el Vicente Calderon gay since February 09

The man that singlehandedly saved our season. Forlan is king. When our team lacked that little bit of inspiration, he would put the team to shame and net a goal like it was nothing. It was a phenomenal season for Diego and assuming he stays for next season, he will be a real wrecking ball.

This is only part 1. Part 2: The Bad will be up soon. Stay in your seats, folks.