Atlético de Kolkata had a productive training spell in Spain.Atlético de Kolkata's month-long training sojourn in Spain is set to end, with the team leaving Madrid today. Prior to their departure, they will meet the first-team squad of club co-owners Atlético de Madrid, current champions of La Liga.The partnership with the Madrid club has already provided a wonderful experience for Atlético de Kolkata. Having spent the last few weeks at Atlético de Madrid’s Los Ángeles de San Rafael training facility, the squad have taken advantage of the opportunity to gel as a team ahead of the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season.Apart from training at the top-class facilities on offer, Atlético de Kolkata’s stint in Spain included a five-match preseason schedule with games against local sides, from which the team emerged unbeaten. The ISL club won three games and drew the remaining two, scoring 16 goals in the process.Atlético de Kolkata’s players also had the thrilling and historic experience of being presented to the crowd at Atlético de Madrid’s stadium, Vicente Calderón, at halftime of the Madrid club’s match against Celta Vigo on September 20. The fans gave the ISL club a huge round of applause, a surreal moment sure to boost morale in the Atlético de Kolkata camp. Speaking about the team’s month in Spain, assistant coach Rajat Ghosh Dastidar described the squad as “one happy family” after getting the chance to spend an extended period of time together. He added that the training had proved extremely beneficial for everyone. “The players, especially the domestic ones, profited from training in the top-class facilities. Their fitness levels are much better now and will further improve as we continue the preparations after returning to Kolkata,” Dastidar explained.The Kolkata official also spoke glowingly about the presentation at Vicente Calderón, enthusing, “after that unveiling at Atlético de Madrid’s stadium, they boys have received a further boost!”Atlético de Kolkata return to India on Saturday evening, when the ‘City of Joy’ is expected to give its team a grand welcome. They will kick off their season in the ISL opener on October 12, against Mumbai City FC at the famous Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
