Atletico Madrid (5th, 39 points) vs. Real Madrid (4th, 42 points)
When: 2000 CET, Saturday, February 24, 2006
Where: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
With just three points separating the two teams, and the winner to leapfrog the loser, it just could not get any closer as we head into Saturday evening’s titanic tussle.
There is always an edge to the Madrid derby, but seldom over the last few years has such tremendous significance been attached to it.
Flattering To Deceive
Of course, that has all to do with Atletico Madrid flattering only to deceive, year after year, after year.
They won the title back in 1995-96, and then finished second behind Barcelona two years later, but have done little of note since.
Ten years; it’s high time! This is the closest they have been to the leaders at such a late stage, and the gap will be down to four points if they win on Saturday.
However, the Colchoneros will also be looking behind, at charging Zaragoza and Getafe, aware that Champions League dreams could all crash so fast that they won’t know what hit them.
A big defeat, and they could well find themselves seventh come Sunday – playing catch-up for even a Uefa Cup berth!
Alive And Kicking
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are already just four points off the top, and in with a very fair shout for the title no matter what the outcome of Saturday’s game.
However, that they are still alive has precious little to do with their own form, and more to do with Sevilla and Barcelona simply failing to hit their stride in the new year. Los Merengues know full well that the impact of every defeat, every draw, has been tempered by the failure of those two to pull away.
However, with Sevilla, Barcelona – and now Valencia – all facing relatively simpler tasks on Sunday, it is imperative that Madrid claim derby honours.
Not for the sake of bragging rights for another six months – well, maybe a little bit for that – but to put some serious pressure on the trio!
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Disappointed as Aguirre was after last week’s 3-1 defeat to ten men Sevilla, he is unlikely to shake things up. The focus through the week, instead, has been on ironing out flaws and improving the understanding.
Maxi Rodriguez and Petrov are still out, but the rest of the team does not look too bad. Maniche, the only other concern, has shaken off his injury concerns and is ready for the big game.
Aguirre is likely to stick with his current system, with some minor changes. Maniche and Peter Luccin will be accompanied by Jurado – over whom the two sides fought in the summer – in midfield. The former Real Madrid youth team player will be charged with spicing up an already tasty front line, with Torres up front, Galletti on the right, and Aguero in a roaming left-sided role.
Perea will drop to the bench despite being fit, making way for Ze Castro’s return, while Antonio Lopez will come in for Pernia.
Probable line-ups: Franco – Seitaridis, Pablo, Ze Castro, Antonio Lopez – Luccin, Maniche – Galletti, Aguero, Jurado – Torres
Real Madrid
Full backs Sergio Ramos and Roberto Carlos have been left out due to injuries, while David Beckham is suspended after seeing red against Real Betis last week.
However, the biggest news is the return of Antonio Cassano to the squad after what seems like ages. The way David Beckham has responded upon his return must have helped Capello reach his decision, and if the Italian forward shows anything similar in terms of inspiration, Capello’s job will become even safer.
Mohamadou Diarra also returns to the squad after recovering from his ankle injury, and will walk back into the starting eleven in the absence of Beckham, with Guti moving further up the field as Capello reinforces his defence ahead of a difficult away game.
However, there is also a remote possibility of Gago and Guti continuing in the middle, and Reyes coming in for Beckham. Unlikely, though!
Either way, Don Fabio will not disturb the attacking tridente of Higuain, Raul and Van Nistelrooy. Michel Salgado will make a return at right back due to Ramos’ injury, with Torres back in on the left.
Probable Starting XI: Casillas – Salgado, Cannavaro, Helguera, Torres – Diarra, Gago – Raul, Guti, Higuain – Van Nistelrooy.
Players To Watch
Atletico Madrid: Sergio Aguero
The ‘Kun’ has been coming on in leaps and bounds, and is now one of the key pieces of Javier Aguirre’s puzzle. His movements create space for Torres and Galletti, and also for Maniche to burst through the middle and have a crack.
Real Madrid: Raul
The magnetic skipper was back in full form against arch-rivals Bayern Munich, and that they he will come up against even bigger rivals this weekend, will compel him to do even better. If he is anything close to what he was on Tuesday, Atleti are in trouble.
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