El Derbi Madrileno Part Dos

The mutant in-bred half cousins known as Atletico Madrid are the next opponents we must face in the league. We make the short trip to the Vicente Calderon for a 1pm eastern kick off in what is a hotly contested affair. It will be the 141st league derbi madrileno between the two kings of Madrid, no offense Getafe, Rayo, Las Rozas, Majadahonda, Parla, Alcala etc. Unlike most derbi’s of this decade, Real and Atletico are fairly close, with only 10 points seperating the two. But its a clash between 1st and 3rd, forget the points.

Its also, like Barca and Athletic, a clash of neighborhoods, society and culture. The Bernabeu is in the wealthier section of town while the Calderon isnt. That to me means very little, because neither team has control of what goes on around its stadium. The area around the Calderon has improved vastly though, it is by no means a dump. But people think, well Real is in the financial district amongst a bunch of shops and eateries while the Calderon used to be dominated by nearby factories (sorta). Its all a load of crap. The fact is the two teams rivalry stems from being in the same town just like most derbys. There are political implications, but I dont like to get into them, as I like to present a open environment for anyone who reads, and I am not a bigot by any means. If you would like to know more (but not really) click here for some pro-Real info http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma46152.htm

Head to head results have been in our favor for sometimes now, actually the last time Atletico won was in 99-00. And there was a big gap from 91 to 98 as well. So we can say the town has been white for awhile now. Atletico are not to be taken lightly though, they possess a very competitive squad with a couple of players I wouldnt mind having on Real’s books. Unlike previous years, Atletico doesnt suck balls and this will be a pretty even encounter, although with Atletico being at home they noise will tip the scale in their favor.

Whats important here is that we get a result. After the monkey flinging crap performance at Mallorca then a so-so Levante win followed by another loss to Mallorca but with an improved performance, this needs to be the game we start the second half off right. A derbi win will go a long way to making the players and fans put the recent setback behind us.

So first, lets take a look at Atletico.

Atletico Team News:

No. Position Player
1 GK Ismael Falcón
2 DF Giourkas Seitaridis
3 DF Antonio López
4 DF Mariano Pernía
5 MF Thiago Motta
6 MF Cléber Santana
7 FW Diego Forlán
8 MF Raúl García
9 FW Luis García
10 FW Sergio (Kun) Agüero
11 MF Maxi Rodríguez (Captain)
12 DF Fabiano Eller
13 GK Christian Abbiati
14 DF Zé Castro
15 MF José Manuel Jurado
17 FW José Antonio Reyes
19 MF Miguel
20 FW Mista
21 DF Luis Amaranto Perea
22 DF Pablo Ibáñez
23 MF Juan Valera
24 MF Simão Sabrosa
25 GK Leo Franco
26 MF Batres
27 MF Álex Quillo
29 MF Camacho
35 ST Rufino

Rufino? Let me guess, he is the child of a date rape…Morbid, but I was ruffeyed once and it wasnt fun, I though I was gonna die. Im like gay dude fly paper, its annoying. Anyways, so they have a pretty stacked squad, none of these players barring Kun are true global superstars, but that really doesnt matter, id say more then half I rate highly. And Atletico has a good youth system, with a couple of them incorporated into the first team.

Obviously we should see Abbiati in goal, he has done well this year. Leo Franco is a strange character to me, because I dont think he is to good, but he shows up at World Cups and Atletico? Oh well, injured anyways, in front of him the ideal lineup would be Seitardis—Pablo—-Perea—Pernia. Whether that happens or not we will see, I wouldnt mind seeing Pablo and Pernia out there, I think both are crap. Ze Castro isnt bad, although a funny lookin dude, and Eller is a good center back. As for Pernia, he may be swapped with Antonio Lopez, I dont know Aguirre knows whether he likes one better then the other, I dont think Aragones does either.

As for the midfield, here is where they really lay it on for me. They just sold Maniche, so what, he was a VAGINA if I ever saw one (I have). This means Raul Garcia is undisputed in the creative role in the center and will look to cause Gago problems with his movement and outside shooting. I wanted Real to sign him and thought it was gonna happen when we sold Javi Garcia to Osasuna. I even saw a article that said “Raul Garcia moves to Madrid” and I was extactic. Not to be though, damn shame.

Next to him use to be Luccin or Costinha. Both pre-madonna’s as well, but now he has Cleber Santana sort of, its more a diamon shaped midfield, but Aquirre might deploy Motta if he is fit. On the wings look for Simao and Maxi Rodriguez to give Marcelo and Sergio Ramos fits, but Im hoping one of the two has an off day, probably Maxi. The midfield is their luxury department with Reyes, Jurado, Valera and De la Cuesta all able La Liga players. Up front will be Kun and Forlan, with Mista on the bench where he belongs.

Containing Kun may be a star, I dont fear Forlan as much. He seems to blow hot and cold to often, and although this game should be all the motivation he needs, I still think he will be ineffective. He needs the ball alot, and if we can cut the supply down (Gago!) then that should help. Kun on the other hand doesnt need anything, a loose pass or poor clearance and bam, goal. Good purchase from Atletico, he is the dangerman here.

Also, lets hope Jurado gets in the game so we can have a close look at him, my guess is he wont be returning to the Bernabeau this summer when his 2 year buy back clause kicks in. He hasnt had many games despite a good peformance in the Copa and is injured but might shake it off for the match.

As far as I am aware, Atletico has no other injury concerns. This may change when I post this, but for now, its as is. EDIT: a| or whatever has alerted me that Seitaridis is injured. Thanks chief.

Real Team News:

Pepe was supposed to be a doubt for this game, still no word on his status, im sure you sleuth will let me know. Problem is I put more effort into the other teams write then ours because nothing ever changes for it. Expect the usual lineup, Casillas in goal, but wait, ohhh we have injuries/call ups! Well expect Sergio Ramos alongside Canna while Torres and Marcelo our either side of them, with Gago and Baptista in the center, Guti on the right (bold prediction are what I am all about). Robinho, Raul and Ruud make up the attacking trident. Sneijder, Drenthe, Dudek, Salgado…. who the hell else isnt injured? Well Salgado is now, although he may recover in time, while Pepe is pretty much out, and Gago and Sergio Ramos worked off knocks.

Balboa, Robben (from now on, the Dutch Wafer) and Soldado did some ball work and are on the road to recovery while Saviola (EDIT: John’s genius has given us this: Javier not-so-savvy-ola. This will be his new nickname) is out for awhile (oh well). No news on Metzelder’s arch problems either. We have a small squad for the derbi, now would be a good time to use the odd youth team player (Parejo, Schorch, Bueno…) but Schuster is to good for that. The injuries we have right now kinda suck, but we should have forseen this and used some of the Castilla players or never sold Javi Garcia, De la Red or Juanfran! Brilliant idea.

This is a winnable game, but me thinks a draw looks likely because we havent played well enough to warrant a win. Unless we see a rise in their level, Madrid will see out a draw and be happy with it. I will miss the game as I will be drivin back to Connecticut for a night of heavy drinking and probably womanizing. But thats what school is all about, how I have missed it. Steve will have a liveblog, lets hope for a win! HALA MADRID HALA MADIRD HALA MADRID!

Category: Game Preview

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