This past Sunday the Uruguayan Diego Forlan set his team Atletico de Madrid in the next Champions League after scoring the victory goal of 1-0 against Deportivo La Coruna at the 37th minute on the day before last in the Spanish Soccer League while at the Nou Camp Mallorca defeated Barca 3-2.
Forlan's goal was his 16th of the season, which he scored at the Vicente Calderon stadium; basically an incredible accomplishment as the Atletico de Madrid will participate in the Champions League for the first time since the 1996-1997 season.
The Atletico acquired Forlan (and Coach Mexican Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre), a year ago in exchange of Fernando Torres; Forlan who was a Villarreal player was purchased for the amount of 21 million dollars a price that now is certainly worth.
"I received a great pass of Maxi Rodriguez and we are very happy to be again in the Champions League where we wanted to be, we reached the objective to be in the Champions League and I'm happy by the supporters that have expected this for so long" declared Forlan after the victory.
On the contrary, the Barca added another defeat upon allowing Mallorca turned around the scoreboard in the second half for a final 2-3 result. Barca has lost the League and the Spanish overall second place; situation, which benefits Villarreal, which presently draws with Atletico de Madrid at 64, points each.
At first the red-blue team was heading the scoreboard with goals of Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o; but in only three minutes Mallorca drew and managed their victory of 3-2 on the verge of finishing the game with goals of Dani Guiza who has already scored a total of 26.
For Frank Rijkaard's last game at the Camp Nou the supporters held a ceremony for the 45-years-old Dutch coach due to Barca's two consecutively Spanish League trophies (2005 and 2006) and a Champions League victory in 2006. FC Barcelona B Coach Josep Guardiola will be the one to replace Rijkaard for the new season.
In other games, Sevilla FC defeated Real Betis 2-0, but the result is not enough to reach the Atletico, which currently has three more points, and it is in fourth place. Zaragoza drew 2-2 with Real Madrid at La Romerada but continued its descent. Real Madrid Ruud van Nistelrooy and the Brazilian Robinho were the ones to score for their team leaving Zaragoza in the eighteenth place with one point less than Osasuna and Recreativo de Huelva. Osasuna can thank Real Madrid for their aid due to the recent result. The Recreativo also remains a point above after winning 2-0 over Almeria. And lastly, Levante and Murcia have already descended but will play amongst them for a final spot.
