Former Atletico Madrid coach Alfredo Santaelena has heaped praise on midfielder Thomas Partey and believes the Ghana international has evolved into a crucial performer for Diego Simeone’s side. Partey has played in multiple positions for Atleti since graduating through the academy ranks but he has settled into a defensive midfield during the current campaign.
Ghana international Thomas Partey has said that the Black Stars need more than just expertise in order to end their long wait for the African Cup of Nations. The West African nation have failed to win the competition in the past 37 years but they are hopeful of breaking the rut when Africa’s best collide in Egypt this summer.
Speaking to reporters, Partey, who is currently with Atletico Madrid at the club, said that the team require skills, luck and unity, if they are to make a strong case to win the continental competition, he said: “To win a tournament like AFCON sometimes quality alone is not enough. We have to be able to sacrifice and go the extra mile and with that and a little bit of luck, I am sure we will emerge victorious. Unity and working for each other will be vital because we have got the quality of players already so we all have to on the same page. This will be my second major tournament with the team so it’s hard to tell what has been wrong in the past but we need to be united.”
Ghana international Thomas Partey has said that the Black Stars need more than just expertise in order to end their long wait for the African Cup of Nations. The West African nation have failed to win the competition in the past 37 years but they are hopeful of breaking the rut when Africa’s best collide in Egypt this summer.
Speaking to reporters, Partey, who is currently with Atletico Madrid at the club, said that the team require skills, luck and unity, if they are to make a strong case to win the continental competition, he said: “To win a tournament like AFCON sometimes quality alone is not enough. We have to be able to sacrifice and go the extra mile and with that and a little bit of luck, I am sure we will emerge victorious. Unity and working for each other will be vital because we have got the quality of players already so we all have to on the same page. This will be my second major tournament with the team so it’s hard to tell what has been wrong in the past but we need to be united.”
Ghana have been pitted against Benin, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon for the group stage of the tournament and they have to produce their best to reach the knockout phase. Prior to that, they have received a blow with the surprise retirement of Asamoah Gyan after he was stripped from the captaincy.
Gyan has been Ghana’s most potent striker with 51 goals during his international career and his absence could hamper their prospects of winning the title. Aside from Ghana, the likes of Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco and hosts Egypt are among the other fancied sides to make a strong case of securing the AFCON crown this summer. Egypt start off the competition against Zimbabwe on June 22.
Ghana international Thomas Partey has urged his teammates at Atletico Madrid to end the season on a high. The Spanish outfit are nine points behind leaders Barcelona at the top of the league standings and their prospects of winning the title seems improbable unless the Blaugrana suffer a string of shock defeats.
As such, it is pretty much confirmed that the Catalan giants will be crowned the Spanish champions in a few weeks’ time but Partey does not want the same to hamper his team’s performances, he said: “We want to win the games that we have left. We always go strong and we are happy with the victory. Now we have to think about the next match against Valencia on Wednesday against our fans. We have to win our games because we only have to be up if we win. That’s why we try to win all the games to add all the possible points until the end.”
Ghana international Thomas Partey has urged his teammates at Atletico Madrid to end the season on a high. The Spanish outfit are nine points behind leaders Barcelona at the top of the league standings and their prospects of winning the title seems improbable unless the Blaugrana suffer a string of shock defeats.
As such, it is pretty much confirmed that the Catalan giants will be crowned the Spanish champions in a few weeks’ time but Partey does not want the same to hamper his team’s performances, he said: “We want to win the games that we have left. We always go strong and we are happy with the victory. Now we have to think about the next match against Valencia on Wednesday against our fans. We have to win our games because we only have to be up if we win. That’s why we try to win all the games to add all the possible points until the end.”
Atletico finished as the runners-up to Barcelona during the previous campaign and they have the opportunity to achieve the same this campaign. They are currently four points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid and have a good chance of finishing above them, provided they do not lose their heads during the closing stages of the campaign.
Atletico’s next match comes against Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano and the game should prove a tricky prospect, considering the latter’s resurgence during the backend of the campaign. Valencia. The Mestalla outfit have suffered just two league defeats since the turn of the year and they are bound to produce a tough challenge with as many as 16 draws through their campaign. The reverse fixture witnessed a 1-1 draw. Angel Correa opened the scoring for Atletico during the first period but Rodrigo levelled the proceedings shortly after the break.
