SPECIAL REPORT: Former Madrid defender Francisco
'Paco' Pavon has warned his old club to avoid getting dragged into a
defensive game and says scoring first will be key on Saturday
In a Liga clash between Real Madrid and Atletico in November 2011, fans of Los Blancos raised a banner with a message mocking their rivals' long-suffering supporters. "Wanted: a worthy rival for a decent derby," it read.
Just over three years on, however, and it is Real struggling to beat Atletico. Almost 14 years of hurt for the Rojiblancos in the famous fixture they had last won in 1999 were ended in spectacular style by Diego Simeone's side as they beat Madrid in the 2013 Copa del Rey final at - of all places - the Santiago Bernabeu.
Last season, Atleti again beat Madrid at the Bernabeu in La Liga and came within seconds of victory in the Champions League final in Lisbon, but were ultimately frustrated by Sergio Ramos' late leveller and then crumbled in extra-time as Madrid's greater freshness and fitness came into play.
But this term, Simeone's side have done even better against Real. After the two teams drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu in the first fixture of the Spanish season, Atleti won the second match 1-0 to lift the Spanish Supercopa. They then won 2-1 at the Bernabeu in La Liga, before beating their city rivals 2-0 in the teams' Copa de Rey last-16 first leg at the Vicente Calderon, drawing the return 2-2.
Not only have Madrid found a worthy rival for a decent derby, but they have also seemingly met their match, with even coach Carlo Ancelotti admitting on Saturday that they are looking to end their recent negative streak in Saturday's Liga clash at the Vicente Calderon.
"There is big motivation because it's the Madrid derby and because we want to end our poor run against Atletico," the Italian said after his side overcame Sevilla in Wednesday's re-arranged Liga clash.
Saturday's game could be crucial to Madrid's hopes of winning La Liga
and a victory would see the current league leaders move 10 points ahead
of last season's champions. So how can they turn the tables on
Simeone's stubborn side?"The dynamic of the last few games will be more of an influence than a particular bad streak," former Madrid defender Paco Pavon told Goal. "In order to change that dynamic, the coach will try something different, although if Atletico score first, the ghosts could return for Real - if they think about how Atletico will close up at the back, about how difficult it will be..."
And he added: "Just like in the previous derbies, when they start to build attacks, they could find themselves up against a wall, they make a mistake and then things get very tough."
Cristiano Ronaldo returns for Madrid after a two-match ban for violent conduct in the win against Cordoba late last month, but Ancelotti will be without Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Pepe (all injured), while Marcelo misses out through suspension.
"Madrid come into this game in good shape after beating Real Sociedad and the second half against Sevilla, although they will be missing some of their first-choice players," Pavon said. "They have looked strong and played well against Atletico in recent matches, and they have been evenly disputed derbies, although in the end the scales have swung in Atletico's favour."
Indeed, playing well will mean little to Ancelotti, the players and the Madrid fans if Real end up losing for the fourth time this season against Atleti.
"Scoring first could be key," Pavon warned. "Otherwise it will be extremely complicated for Madrid once again."
Source: goal.com
No comments:
Post a Comment