…ATLETICO IN THE MOOD FOR YET
ANOTHER VICTORY…REAL WELCOME THE CHALLENGE
Diego Cholo Simeone has revived Los
Colchoneros since he took over as manager. Three trophies in the last two years
lay claim to the fact that he has done miracles with a team left deep in
relegation waters by his predecessor. This season has been even more fantastic.
The sale of talisman, Radamel Falcao to Monaco has done little to their lofty
ambitions. David Villa was brought in to replace the Colombian, but it is the
Brazilian-Spanish Diego Costa that has impressed the most, continuing from
where he left off last season. The prolific hardworker leads the La liga
scorers chart this term with 7 goals (tied with Lionel Messi). One ahead of
Cristiano Ronaldo. Turkish wing wizard, Arda Turan has put pen to paper on a
contract extension and the likes of Raul Garcia, Mario Suarez, Tiago, Koke,
Gabi, Diego Godin, Miranda and Thibaut Courtois have weighed in with their
immense contributions so far. Not forgetting Filipe Luis, Juan Fran and others.
It is 14 whole years since Atletico
last won any league match against their City rivals and more illustrious
competitors. Not since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s brace at the Bernabeu have Los
Rojiblancos managed a victory v Real Madrid until last season’s Copa Del Rey
Final win which ended almost a decade and a half of pure agony. There ids no
better time to add to that triumph as we all know who the in-form team is with
Madrid stuttering in midweek and Atletico coasting all season.
Real Madrid only managed to secure
all three points at Elche courtesy of some comedy refereeing by Cesar Muniz
Fernandez who is no stranger to controversy. Gerard Pique opined that it was
like a scene from the movies when a penalty was awarded to Los Merengues. Only
the official saw that Sergio Sanchez wrestled Pepe to the ground when indeed
they were both tugging at each other’s shirt. But Pique has no right to
criticize a decision made by Muniz Fernandez. He was the man at the center when
BARCELONA stole victory at the death v Sevilla and the Andalusians had a
legitimate goal chalked off for handball. Arbeloa has since replied his
national teammate’s trash talk.
The nine time European Champions must
be at their very best to think of defeating a team high on confidence this
evening at the Santiago Bernabeu which has been a fortress for a long time. But
Atletico Madrid have shown that they can win there and they are no push overs.
They fought Barcelona home and away in the Supercoppa meetings and only lost
because they let Neymar score a tame header at the Calderon. Gerardo ‘Tata’
Martino admitted that the matches were evenly contested. A winner had to emerge
and that was why Barcelona carried the day in the end. Simeone’s men fear no
one and have destroyed Zenit in the Champions League as well. In David Villa,
they possess a man who has what it takes to hurt Real. Seven of his career
goals have been scored against the 32-time La liga champions.
Gareth Bale is likely to make his
long awaited, overdue home debut today and what a match to do it. If he does
great, it will go down well with Madridistas at the Bernabeu and around the
World. The headache for Ancelotti is who to replace Bale with. Is it the
in-form Isco whose start to life as a Blanco has been nothing short of magical?
Or the hardworking Angel Di Maria whose industry and selflessness gives Madrid
something different?
Borrowing a few words from Rob Train,
Diego Simeone has turned the Rojiblancos into a footballing battering ram with
Diego Costa providing the blunt edge and David Villa the velvet tip. The
perfect analysis. Villa might not have scored many goals, but his ability is
not in doubt and it has shown this season. His intelligence and all round
forward play have led to direct and indirect assists, leaving spaces for Diego
Costa to work on and ultimately exploit. It is no accident that the Spanish
Federation are considering the possibility of capping the aforementioned at
International level. Vicente De Bosque has also put calls through to Koke and
Mario Suarez and that has been down to what ‘EL Cholo’ has brought to the
Calderon.
Sid Lowe stated that the Derby is no
longer one sided and we can’t help but agree. The CDR victory on 17 May has
gone a long way to remove the fear factor Atletico have when they face Real. Lady
luck was on their side in that final. They won and that ended a run of 14 years
without tasting victory in the Madrid derby.
The end result might come down to
small details. Real have found it difficult to break down well oiled, well
drilled defences this campaign as matches against Elche in midweek and
Villareal at the Madrigal showed us. It is also common knowledge that Ramos and
Pepe make a lot of mistakes as a pair and occasionally go into challenges
rashly. Carlo Ancelotti might have to stock pile his midfield with
ILLARRA-KHEDIRA which means no space for the creative excellence of Luka
Modric. Isco to pull the strings from attacking midfield and Di Maria to work
on Luis/Juanfran. The Real manager is aware that Atletico are far more physical
and powerful. Although his team can boast of more quality individuals.
Afterall, they have Cristiano Ronaldo whose 210 goals for the club have come in
just 206 games. Thiabut Courtois has boasted that he knows how the Portuguese
Captain executes his free-kicks. Might come back to hunt him.
Both teams know what to do. Play to
your potential and limit that of the opponent. Easier said than played out. A
great match in prospect.
Ohireime Eboreime
Twitter-@ohiskaka1990
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