Los Blanquiazules Are Here

By: Al | November 15th, 2008

Atlético Madrid vs. Deportivo de La Coruña

Same old shenanigans in the world of Atlético. Winning a game, then losing/tying the next one, then winning, then so on and so forth. The expectations given to us from such a successful last season and a great start to this season are too much for us to be living up to. Saying that this season is a disappointment is an understatement. (You’re welcome -Captain Obvious).

After underperforming against Osasuna, the squad had no choice but to lament on how they played, with the exception of Coupet who was more than happy to stop that penalty. Atlético had a full blown squad that played tired and sloppy. Luck was on our side when Osasuna couldn’t take advantage of good opportunities, but we can’t keep on riding on this luck. Unfortunately, we must deal with a much superior team on Sunday when Deportivo visit.

Atleti eliminated CF Orihuela from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday 1-0 on aggregate, with a 0-0 draw that was as thrilling as staring at a retirement home swimming pool. Bad on my part not to do a preview on this match, and a Copa fixture against a lower division team should be a given pass to the next round. Unless you’re Real Madrid or Villarreal, these games are usually a given victory. (Speaking of Real Madrid or Villarreal, expect them to be an even greater force now that they don’t have a silly little cup to worry about.)

And guess who we’ll be playing in the next round of the Copa? FC Barcelona. They probably won’t be showing mercy and will be at full force again. That’s for January to worry about, around the time that they visit us in the league. 3 Barca fixtures in a month, now that’s something that provokes nightmares.

Atletico are currently window shopping in the football world for a right back. On top of the list is Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa, who Atletico want to snatch next summer. Perea (and Seitaridis) aren’t bad players at all, but Atletico want to have more experienced players for the Champions League. To each his own I guess, and Atletico have nothing to lose.

Fresh off of the bullsh*t mill, Inter are considering giving Atletico an offer for Kun Aguero with Adriano thrown into the mix. These silly rumors will just lead to another statement by Aguirre or Cerezo about how he’s going to stay. We get it now.

Deportivo:

Deportivo aren’t doing too shabby this season. Last season they finished in 9th place, landing an Intertoto cup spot (and are now in the UEFA Cup). Deportivo are fresh off of a cup victory, and a 1-0 victory over Espanyol from last weekend. They currently sit in 6th place, one point ahead of us with one more draw than us. In a sense, this match will be “ye battle of 6th place”. Tons of 6th place pride is on the line, and we can’t afford to let such a trivial chance get past us [/sarcasm]

Deportivo hasn’t defeated Atlético at the Calderon since the 1999/2000 season. Ouch. Statistics aside, that isn’t a streak that you want to have. Records are meant to be broken, right? Not this one.

We are arguably the superior team, but that doesn’t mean that Deportivo doensn’t have its share of talent as well. The player to watch out for is Andres Guardado, a fast and tricky little bugger that will probably make hell for our defense. He’s pretty much the flea version of Maniche, quick runs and good shots out of nowhere. Midfielder Angel Lafita has scored a few goals this season and will probably be a problem for our defense.

We’re at home and we’re angry after underperforming, and Aguirre is under more pressure. Basically, we’re in the same mental position that we’ve been in every week in the past month. Nothing less than a victory, please.

You know what you need to do, boys. Kick some Depor arse.

Atleti Roster:

KEEPERS
1 Coupet.
25 Leo Franco.

DEFENDERS
2 Seitaridis.
4 Pernía.
5 Heitinga.
17 Ujfalusi.
21 Perea.
22 Pablo Ibáñez.

MIDFIELDERS
8 Raúl García.
9 Luis García.
11 Maxi Rodríguez.
12 Paulo Assunção.
16 Éver Banega.
18 Maniche.
20 Simão.

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

Antonio López out of squad from dizziness. That’s a new one.

Aupa Atleti!