Atlético vs. Real Mandril: el Derbi Returns

By: Al | November 6th, 2009

n_atletico_de_madrid_26_r_madrid_vs_at_madrid-109808 I know that it has been about 10 years since Atletico win against Real Madrid, but who cares. It’s the damn Derbi Madrileño. Be excited.

It’s one of those bottom vs. top fixtures (we’re in 17th, they’re in 2nd) but we’re still expecting the upset, despite a ten year hex in the way. Derbies are always special and when you play matches like these, you forget about everything else, such as table position and the fact that you’re eliminated from the Champions League (grrr). Just sit back, grab a cold one, and enjoy. And yell loudly at the television set.

Atletico, recently living up to their cruel “El Pupas” monicker, have supposedly found their ground in the match against Chelsea. They played like they hadn’t played this season before, with a defense that was effective for 82 minutes and a Kun Aguero performance to remember. Did I mention that he was injured also? Sure, it was a Champions League match and some teams perform above and beyond, but you definitely know that Quique is expecting no less tomorrow. For both the ascension up the table, and for the win against the eternal rival.

The last time Atletico defeated Real was in the 1999/2000 season. In other words, way too long. If they don’t win tomorrow, that’s an entire damn decade of not winning a derby. There were some draw matches in between, and there were still many excellent matches despite them ending 1-1, but not one victory. However, we must forget about the numbers and move on from there.

I’m a huge believe that the location of matches are important, but unfortunately, Atletico hasn’t benefited much when playing this derby at home. Let me remind you what happened the last two times the derby took place at the Calderon. First minute goals. Two years ago, it was Raul and last year it was Van Nistelrooy. I can’t explain why this happened, maybe it was a Javier Aguirre thing, but it’s very obvious: overconfidence. Hell, I believe that fat Ronaldo pulled this first-minute goal thing about 4 years ago. Goddammit.

It may be a psychological factor as to why Atletico struggles to win these matches. Like I mentioned before, I’m excited for this match despite knowing that Real has the superior record. I’m not alone; the team gets excited too, and goes full out during these matches, which can be bad if you’re not careful. Last season during the first derby, Simao equalized near the end of the match and next thing you know, Heitinga fouled Drenthe in the box and Higuain slotted in the penalty. Game over. Overexcitement and hastiness being the downfall once again.

That’s why Atletico did so well in the derby at the Bernabeu last season. Abel Resino and the squad knew that if they were the team with all the bite, they would stand a chance at winning the match. And what a match that was. The ball hit crossbar after crossbar, then a solid Diego Forlan goal, all to be cancelled out by a Huntelaar equalizer and a 1-1 result that should have been much more for us. It wasn’t a win, but still a match to remember. For most of the match, we scared them, and that’s what we needed to do in order to stand a chance at winning.

n_atletico_de_madrid_los_jugadores-679152

Asenjo: This sucks man. Why do we have to pose?
Iker: Kid, do you know what sex is?
Asenjo: Umm what the hell, Iker?
Iker: Huhuh sorry kid I’m a little tipsy
Both: Huhuhuhuh

This time around, things are definitely more different. This new edition of Real Madrid, who in correlation to how much they spent this summer on players, are technically “failing” for not being the biggest and baddest football team in the world right now. They lost to that 3rd division team, lost to AC Milan at home, but are still a dangerous team nonetheless. Thank goodness they don’t have Cristiano Ronaldo available, because Kaka is scary enough. And many of Atletico’s old derby bogeymen (Raul, Higuain, Nistelrooy) will probably make an appearance. On paper, we’re facing an even better squad than last year, and plenty of experience on their squad as well. Guti Maricón didn’t make the squad, but I doubt that’ll make a difference anyway.

And how would you compare the new Real Madrid to the new Atletico? No comparison, Real is miles ahead in many departments except the attack. This current Atletico is a bit hurt from the bad outcome of the season so far, but they are working hard on improving from there. That’s Quique’s priority right now, not only to improve results, but to work with what the team has and find a method of working that will help us get back to normal ways. His formula against Chelsea worked, and it may work again tomorrow. Don’t let the standings and the numbers fool you. We still have a chance at winning.

The lineup:

This is the 99% official lineup that will play tomorrow:

Asenjo
Perea, Pablo, Ujfalusi, A. Lopez
Reyes, Cleber, R. Garcia, Simao
Aguero, Forlan

Not too many changes from the Chelsea match, with Ujfalusi and R. Garcia in the lineup. Juanito is injured and Assuncao is suspended from yellow card accumulation. Reyes’ performance on Tuesday seems to have been good enough to earn him a start against his former club. Aguero still has a bit of a groin problem, but he’s fit enough to start anyway (he scored the brace against Chelsea with the same exact problem!). Asenjo is once again the starting keeper, and the rest of the lineup is familiar to us all.

So the only thing I ask of the squad is not to fight against the ten year hex, but to just go out there and win the match.

AUPA ATLETI!