Atletico Madrid to play in Kolkata

Spanish champions and UEFA Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid are expected to play in Kolkata before the start of the first season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

This was confirmed by India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly while speaking to the Telegraph. Ganguly and Atletico Madrid are co-owners of the ISL’s Kolkata franchise, which has been named Atletico de Kolkata.

Atletico is expected to visit the Bengal capital before the start of the 2014-15 La Liga season.

“An exhibition match is planned — Atletico versus an Invitational XI. We’d like to field a strong Invitational team, to compete against Atletico... Idea is to have a good game,” Ganguly was quoted saying.

Ganguly had attended the Champions League final between Atletico and Real Madrid in Lisbon last month and during his visit to Portugal the cricketing great met key officials of Atletico.

Confirming about Atletico de Kolkata’s kit colours, Ganguly added, “Our jersey colours will be red and white, the same as Atletico’s, and the logo has been finalised. Our focus now is on putting the Atletico de Kolkata team and the coaching staff together. We’re waiting for an update on the FIFA rules and a draft from IMG-Reliance.”

Like Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar is also a co owner of one of the teams, named Kerala Blasters which is derived from his nickname ‘Master Blaster’.