Abel Resino, the new manager of Atlético Madrid (who replaced the Mexican, Javier Aguirre), is directing his first training session. Television crews, zoom lenses and all eyes are focused on the playing area, where the first team is being put through its paces. Journalists are commentating and taking notes on the team set-up, while fans and curious bystanders watch with interest. They are trying to work out what the ex-Atlético goalkeeper (whose European tally for clean sheets – 1,275 minutes set in 1990–91 – was beaten earlier this year by Manchester United’s Edwin Van de Sar) is telling his new players.Everyone has their back turned to the green rectangle where Atlético B is training or, to be more precise, where the junior team – made up of seventeen- to eighteen-year-olds – is playing a match. Green bibs against red vests. On the edge of the pitch is the manager, Abraham García, arms folded across his chest, watching how his charges are developing. Every now and then, he shouts an instruction to Cedric, a young midfielder born in Kinshasa, or to striker Didí, who is from Barcelona.
