Atlético have received an offer to play a friendly game in Ghana on 8th August.
Financially, it is a very attractive offer and interesting as well because of the game’s location. The decision is in the hands of the Atlético board, in conjunction with the coaching team, headed by Diego Pablo Simeone.
It should be remembered that Atlético de Madrid’s first team visit to Asia will come to an end on 4th August and so if the board agrees to this game, then there will be the question of whether Atlético fly direct from China to Ghana, or return first to Spain and then set off again. The tiredness of the squad will be one of the factors to take into account regarding this matter.
Atlético have at the moment four definite pre-season friendlies arranged, two of them not requiring any overseas travel. On Saturday, 25th July they will play Numancia at Burgo de Osma, not long after the 12-day intensive training session Atlético will be undertaking at Los Angeles de San Rafael in the province of Segovia, which starts tomorrow. Three days after the Numancia match, they will play against newly-promoted Second Division side Oviedo at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere stadium.
After that, the visit to Asia, described on the club’s website as “a key territory for the development of the brand”, will start. Atlético will play one match in Japan on 1st August against Sagan Tosu, and another in China on 4th August, against Shanghai SIPG.
From then on, now that it has been decided that the league programme will return on the weekend of 22nd -23rd August, there are other dates to look at. The ‘Rojiblancos’ have all but committed to the Carranza Trophy tournament on 15th – 16th August, and there might well now also be the game in Ghana to fit in, although the date offered by the African nation is 8th.
Credit: marca.com
Although, the Marca report did not specify the team that Atletico Madrid will be playing against in Ghana, Allsports.com.gh understands either Asante Kotoko or Hearts of Oak is the target and the said match would take place at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra.
