Almeria Preview and Mexicans Reunite

By: Al | January 17th, 2009

There’s one match left of the “half season” and Atlético fans are already pissed. After such a good streak at the end of 2008, losing every match in 2009 is something that wasn’t expected. Atletico has been smashed and battered by Barcelona (twice this month) and is trying to discover itself after four consecutive schoolings. It’s not normal to go 15 matches undefeated and then lose four straight. Atlético is too good for that, but recent results are proving me wrong.

The person under the most pressure is Javier Aguirre, whose great work in the past is being overshadowed by criticism and calls for his sacking. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, there are many things that need work but there is no one source of the problem.

The only way for the team to redeem themselves, regardless of what the problems may be, is to win, win, and win.

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Atlético are without Maniche, who is suspended after getting a red card against Bilbao and is probably chowing down a box of donuts. Maxi and Pernia are excluded from the rosters from minor injuries. Johnny Heitinga is back from suspension and Seitaridis is also back from a minor injury, so we have more defensive options. Aguero is on the roster as well, even though he was carried off the pitch in the last match against Barcelona.

PORTEROS
1 Coupet.
25 Leo Franco.

DEFENSAS
2 Seitaridis.
3 Antonio López.
5 Heitinga.
17 Ujfalusi.
21 Perea.
22 Pablo Ibáñez.

CENTROCAMPISTAS
8 Raúl García.
9 Luis García.
12 Paulo Assunção.
16 Éver Banega.
19 Miguel de las Cuevas.
20 Simão.
24 Ignacio Camacho.

DELANTEROS
7 Forlán.
10 Kun Agüero.
14 Sinama-Pongolle.

And the confirmed starting XI:

Leo Franco; Perea, Pablo Ibáñez, Ujfalusi, Antonio López; Paulo Assunção, Banega, Sinama-Pongolle, Simão; Forlán, Kun Agüero

Interesting to see Sinama play in Maxi’s position. Also a bit shocking that Heitinga is being left out of the starting XI, probably after his crap performance against Barcelona. (I think that his clumsiness inside the box may be because he was primarily a right back at Ajax, but I’d like to be clarified if you know your godenzonen.)

Almeria

It’s annoying to accidentally type “Almerica” instead of “Almeria”. Although they sit in 14th place, Almeria haven’t been doing too shabby so far. They were just knocked out of the Copa by Mallorca (4-2 on aggregate) and have defeated Real Betis 1-0 and gave Espanyol a good run for their money (2-2) ever since Hugo Sanchez took over. At home, Almeria has won 4 times, drawn 3 times, and lost twice. Almeria are looking to match last season (where they finished in 8th, not bad considering they were promoted that season) and with a solid coach and good players, they are no pushover.

Hugol vs. Aguirre

Even though they were teammates in the 1986 World Cup, their small rivalry began as far back as 1980, the year that both players played for the NASL. I’ll run down the timeline of this so called rivalry.

1980 – Hugo’s San Diego Sockers defeated Aguirre’s Los Angeles Aztecs 5-2, with Hugo scoring twice.

1981 – Both players met in the Mexican league and Hugo’s Pumas tied Aguirre’s America 1-1 and 2-2 in both matches.

1983 – Atlético played a match against Mexico (WTF), ending 2-2 with Hugo scoring once for Atleti and Aguirre twice for Mexico.

1988 – Aguirre’s Osasuna played Sanchez’s Real Madrid, ending 1-0 for Osasuna.

1992 – The Chivas-América derby (Aguirre at Chivas, Hugo at América), 0-1 for Aguirre’s side.

On the sidelines, both coaches have faced each other twice in 2003 and 2005 when Aguirre’s Osasuna faced Hugo’s Pumas, both games ending in draws.

I’m predicting a 1-1, as I feel that Almeria will play a good match and I feel that Atlético haven’t recharged their batteries yet. I hope to be proved wrong and to see the Atlético that we know and love smash the hell out of a weaker side once again. Make this the Gijon match all over again, please.

It’s time for Atletico to win again, and matches like these are must-wins if we need something to fall back on in case we get owned by the top teams again. Aupa Atleti!