Some Quick Derbi Bits

By: Corey | October 14th, 2008

This is a quickly thrown together conglomeration of things I have been picking up for the upcoming Derbi. I aplogize if it is not aesthetically pleasing and has no flow to it. We begin with an interview from Michel Salgado about the Atletico stadium ban as well as the Derbi.

This is an unusual week in which to prepare for a derby. Has it been strange?
The derby is always one of the most beautiful games in each season. Both teams are strong this year and it’s a shame for us not to be able to count on all our men to prepare for the clash. I guess that’s why people haven’t talked much about it this year.

You’ve played in many derbies. What do you think of Atletico Madrid?
I think they are a stronger side now. Javier Aguirre has given the team a new personality. They may lose a bit of focus in the league because they haven’t been in the Champions League for years, but a derby is always different. They were hurt by their large defeat against Barcelona and they will want to redeem themselves by winning against the team they enjoy defeating the most. We didn’t earn the result we wanted in our previous game and will fight hard for a victory as well. It will be a special match.

What do you think of UEFA’s punishment to Atletico?
You can’t punish an entire fan base for the racist behaviour of a few people in the crowd. I think they’ve been too drastic in their decision. There’s racism in every stadium due to a minority of the crowd. It has nothing to do with sport. This punishment sets a precedent. We’ll have to wait to see what UEFA does whenever this happens again; if every stadium has to be shut down because of this many games will be played behind closed doors.

The English FA doesn’t want to play at the Bernabéu. What do you think of that?
I don’t like it. I respect all opinions, but the English FA should realise that the racism and vandalism seen in Spain is commonplace in stadiums throughout the world. It doesn’t reflect how Spanish society really is.

How do you feel about not playing much this year?
I said I was very happy with my work during the pre-season and for playing against Numancia. I wait for my chance and I hope to play more once I get it. I’m working very well, but the decision isn’t mine. I feel better on a psychological level than I did last year and I also feel stronger.

Schuster recently said the Champions League is the team’s priority this year. Do you think the derby may suffer from this?
It would be a mistake to forget about La Liga. We have to continue to do a good job in the competition while we wait to qualify in a good position in the Champions League in order to be ready to fight for that title in March. Our first two victories have been a strong start for us and we’d like to finish off our good run in the two clashes with Juventus. La Liga is what keeps a team alive every week. I wouldn’t like the team to sidetrack from it.

Who has a better squad, Real Madrid or Atletico?
I don’t know. Ours is psychologically prepared to fight for every title. We prepare well for every game and play well in the long competitions, but we don’t do so well in short-term championships. We may need to concentrate harder to win the Champions League or the King’s Cup because they offer no room for mistakes. We know how to react to adversity in the league, but there’s no time to react in the other two championships. I guess that’s why the coach said we have to concentrate harder on Europe.

Who do you think deserves the Balon d’Or?
I naturally want Iker Casillas to win because he’s proven to deserve it, not because he’s my teammate. He also happens to play in the position in which it is harder to shine so often. His work for Real Madrid has always been great, but he also proved to be decisive in Spain’s Euro 2008 title. He will fight for the accolade with important players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Messi.

Is Agüero Atletico’s most important player?
I think the entire team has improved and not just because of Kun’s presence. The secret mainly lies in having the same coach for three years. He’s the one who’s built the team from scratch. Agüero has naturally helped the team improve, but he can still learn much more because he is young, just like Messi and Higuaín. Maniche’s work has also been very important for the team. Several things have happened in the recent past, but he’s kept a firm hold on the squad and that has paid off.

We will continue the interview melee with some interesting comments from Atleti legend and Real Madrid tormentor Escudero, who has spoken of the difference between his era of Derbis and the current matches, as well as this weekends match.

“Times have changed since the derbies of my era,”. “Back then, players could not go out in the street if they lost a derby match. And players used to use public transport a lot back then too – If someone recognized you, you had to get off at the next station!”

He added, “But the derby itself, that is an incredible thing.”

“In many derbies people have placed bets on a winner and are usually mistaken. For me, Casillas is number one. Raul? I like Raul, he is never injured, and when he is, he always returns after a few days. Aguero too is great, but he cannot win the game himself.”

In contrast to the comments on being harassed by the Madrid public depending on what metro line you hoped on, we have some dilpomatic as usual comments from our captain. Here is a quick interview with Raul about the upcoming Derbi and some other things:

“It is exciting,” he started, “It will always be special because of my past and my path and to play these games is something that a player always desires.”

“They have a great team and can do big things this year. They are already doing well in the Champions League and Barcelona was an accident.”

“It is clear that after a rout, and playing Madrid, they will be more motivated, they will be more dangerous,”

“Returning is a complicated theme, which I have practically ruled out, but I do not close the doors. If I return to the team it would be a great happiness, like a debut. I would like to play with the old number seven but that seems distant,”

“Casillas, but knowing that Cristiano has had a great season. It depends on the criteria because in the European Championships Xavi was the best,”

So while this is a tantalizing encoutner, Atletico has been rocked by a Champions League stadium ban of 2 games, where they will be forced to play atleast 300 miles from Madrid!?! All because some idiots made racist chants/remarks. Now while I hate racism in all of its forms, and I completely agree that UEFA had to act on this, it was a really bad judgement call. For several reasons. One, it puts the spotlight yet again on Spain as a country of racists, at a time where a possible Englan-Spain friendly is being touted, even with last years racist problems. As Michel Salgado said, racism does not just exist in one stadium in Spain, or in solely Spain, its a worldwide problem that will never be solved because it is human nature, so you must deal with it.

I am no conspiracy theorist, it just seems odd that after a weekend where England fans were booing their own players for bone head plays and their was mention of racist remarks/chants where ever the England team played, the spotlight quickly moves away from England’s problems and on to another nation. Atletico should be playing its games in the Calderon, although the stadium should be empty, or atleas allow the 3,000 Liverpool supporters in who have already made travel arrangements. Because a further 300 mile trip for those supporters is unfair.

So a little bit more misery to heap on Atletico, who were having a quiet week or so of training before the big game. This only adds to the disappoint of the Barca game, as they would probably rather be out of the news until after the match. But while I can not laugh at their expense because I think they have been hard done by it, I must move on to the positive stuff.

And that is that Diarra should be fit for the match. His knee injury only has kept him off his feet for 3-4 days, and since he returned to Madrid right after the Mali match he was interested in, he will probably train with the team before the match. Speaking of training with the team, Gago was again kicking around with the lads, which is good news if Diarra has to start on the bench. Also, Guti and Robben continued to do gym work, and although their status remains uncertain for the game, my feeling is they will both be ready, but again, probably will be on the bench. Its vitally important that we do not rush Robben into anything his frail little body can not handle.