Valladolid Preview and Banega Interview

By: Al | January 31st, 2009

The first chance at Liga revenge this season is always something to look forward to. When we were on a high after the 4-0 smashing of Málaga in the opening matchday, Valladolid just HAD to play a good match on matchday 2 and shoot us down from the stars, with a 2-1 victory making us realize that we have lots to work on after all.

The number of the day, actually, the number of the month, is three. That’s how many points Atlético has won in January. Three draws and two losses in La Liga is something that makes us the laughing stock of La Liga’s best, even though we’re in 6th, everyone wonders what the F is up with that Atlético team with that Kun Aguero dude being unable to win a game in a month.

Our notoriously angry and passionate fans are as riled up as ever even though the team isn’t doing too bad. These same supporters expect nothing less from Atlético as if they were supporters for a big club. Nobody is happy with Atlético, not even Aguirre, who is playing the nervously crazy but happy manager role right now because he’s under so much pressure.

Some reports even say that Aguirre is done at the end of the season. I don’t doubt this is true but I’ve yet to see it mentioned from a legit source, so I’m not going to believe it yet. I think it would be a good idea as it would probably relieve some pressure from him and he’ll be free to pursue his Premier League dream, because the EPL could use another “character”.

Speaking of reports, Forlán is rumored to leave the club this summer as he has said that before his retirement (he’s 30) he wants to sign a big contract and win a title, something that doesn’t seem very here at Atlético (bawww ). I hope he stays, because he has cemented himself as important player and has strayed far from the “Torres replacement” moniker. Plus, he statistically scores a goal every 150 minutes.

It’s so obvious that Atlético has the skill and the prowess to make an impact in the league, and I’m pretty sure – mark my word for it – that Sunday will be that “step up” into establishing ourselves back as a great team.

Roster:

PORTEROS
1 Coupet.
25 Leo Franco.

DEFENSAS
2 Seitaridis.
3 Antonio López.
4 Pernía.
5 Heitinga.
21 Perea.
22 Pablo Ibáñez.

CENTROCAMPISTAS
8 Raúl García.
9 Luis García.
11 Maxi Rodríguez.
12 Paulo Assunção.
16 Éver Banega.
20 Simão.
24 Ignacio Camacho.

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

Confirmed starting XI: Leo Franco – Perea, Pablo, Heitinga, Pernía – Paulo Assunção, Raúl García, Maxi, Simão – Forlán y Kun Agüero.

Valladolid

Valladolid might have shocked us in matchday two, but thankfully they’re not that good when playing away. Their only away win so far into the season (out of 9) was the 0-3 thrashing of Villarreal, and they also drew Osasuna 3-3. They pretty much aren’t much of a threat away even though they smashed Villarreal, but Atleti can’t let their guard down after the shock loss to Bilbao in January. Valladolid is 7-3-10 this season and 7 points from relegation zone, so they’ll definitely try to win tomorrow.

In the words of the really annoying Pro Evolution Soccer commentator, “it’s only a matter of who wants it more”. Atlético can win the 4-0 like old times if they really want to, or Valladolid can shock and give Atlético a good match if they really want it. Against this Atlético team, anything can happen. Nobody knows when they’ll feel like stepping up and being a real team again, but tomorrow will probably the beginning to a good streak.

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Now, as the title suggests, an interview with Ever Banega translated from AS:

The team looks better when you’re on the field, but the cards have affected things…

Against Almeria, I let myself go too far because of the intensity of the match, and I wanted to do anything just to win it. The second foul was a bad decision, but I’ll do everything to learn from those mistakes and to not do them again.

Maniche’s suspension gives you a better shot at being a starter against Valladolid…

Everyone must always be confident in themselves in order to be a part of the starting XI, but it’s the coach’s decision. I’ll keep on training and doing well to be able to play this weekend.

After collecting points in the last two matches, do you see the team ready to win yet?

We gave a good performance in the last two matches and we’ll try to revert the situation against Valladolid. We hope things go like we want them to, that we win and we keep on collecting points to stay high in the table.

The supporters at the Calderon will probably start havoc if the team doesn’t win…

If we’re not winning at least 1-0 by the 15th minute, it’s possible that the fans begin to whistle, but we’re still calm. We know the things that we must do and that we have to win. We’re going to play relaxed, with patience and playing like we’re supposed to.

Have your teammates discussed how important the game on Sunday is?

We know that we didn’t start things well, but we have a better shot playing a home. We must win. Since 2009 started all that we’ve collected are 3 points and it’s about time to change that.