If You Want Peace… Prepare for War

By: Al | September 27th, 2008

Atlético Madrid vs. Sevilla
.
Football war is all the rage right now as this weekend is stacked with derby action (Merseyside, Barcelona, Milan derbies). Sunday’s match against los palanganas isn’t quite a “derby” but the intensity and hate will be there.

Last season, we defeated Sevilla both home and away. The away match was a match of bookings, blood, bad tackles, and pure, old-school hate. Everything from Atlético supporters getting beaten on camera to altercations on the field, it was there at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

No disrespect to Sevilla. Great club, but we really don’t like them.

The Champions League spot that they thought was theirs last season, ended up being snatched by us. So they don’t like us either. They will fight to gain the spot back, but that will prove difficult as it will be a very close race.

Right now we’re without Forlan, Simao, and Maniche. The victory against Getafe ended up being costly as we lost the Portuguese duo. Maniche’s energy will be missing but we have capable replacements in Banega or Raul Garcia. Johnny Heitinga also returns after having some knee troubles.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Sergio Agüero will both be on fire, as Sinama will want to climb higher up the Pichichi mountain and Agüero is, well, Agüero. Provide good service, and these guys will score. Period.

Sevilla:

They are doing okay but they want much more. They currently sit a spot below us at 5th place and they defeated Espanyol 2-0 on Wednesday after a disappointing 0-0 draw in the Seville derby against Betis last weekend. If they lose this match, their hopes for a Champions League spot will be dealt a huge blow. They want these 3 points and need them, just like we do.

Sevilla plays with a 4-4-2 and the danger men of Sevilla are Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute. Diego Capel and Jesus Navas are also dangerous midfielders. These players were deadly last year in all competitions and our defense must be tight to deny these men of goals.

Rosters:

Atlético: Coupet, Leo Franco, Seitaridis, Antonio Lopez, Pernia, Pablo, Ujfalusi, Heitinga, Perea, Raul Garcia, Luis Garcia, Maxi Rodriguez, Assunção, Banega, de las Cuevas, Camacho, Kun Aguero, Sinama-Pongolle

Sevilla: Palop, Javi Varas, Konko, Crespo, Dragutinovic, Squillaci, Fernando Navarro, David Prieto, Duscher, Fazio, Jesus Navas, Maresca, Capel, Romaric, Adriano, Kanouté, Luis Fabiano, Chevantón.

Probable Atletico XI:

Coupet; Seitaridis, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Antonio Lopez; Assuncao, Maxi, Banega, Raul Garcia; Sinama, Aguero

Prediction: Another 4-3 like the fixture a year ago? Probably not. I still expect a lot of goals. 3-2 after a hard-fought match.

And now a joke to end things off… (courtesy of Colchonero.com)

A first grade teacher in Spain tells her class that she’s a supporter of Sevilla. She asks her students to raise their hands if they’re also supporters of the club. The entire class, intimidated by the teacher, raise their hands claiming themselves as supporters, all except a girl in the back of the classroom. The teacher, surprised, asks the girl:

“Why didn’t you raise your hand?”
-”Because I’m not a fan of Sevilla. I’m a fan of Atlético Madrid.”
-”Well, what sin have you committed making you a fan of Atlético Madrid?”
-”My father, mother, and brother are all supporters of Atlético Madrid. Therefore, I am also a supporter of Atlético Madrid.”
-”Well,” says the irritated teacher, “that’s not a good reason to be a fan of Atlético Madrid. You shouldn’t always do as your parents do. What if your mother were a prostitute and drug addict, your father a hobo and alcoholic, and your brother a drug dealer? What would you be?”
-”A Sevilla fan.”

And by the way HELL YEAH FERNANDO TORRES! You make us proud, keep up the good work at Liverpool and score 5 next time you play Everton.