Cerezo: To Win The Derby Would Be Special

It's the biggest match of the season for Atlético Madrid and depending on your viewpoint, it either comes at the worst possible time, or the best.

Los Rojiblancos face arch rivals Real Madrid after a 6-1 hammering by Barcelona and the hope is that they can bounce back strong to overcome their cross-town neighbours but they could also find their confidence destroyed.

President of the club, Enrique Cerezo, said today that the result hasn't been forgotten about but that attention is now on the derby.

"Atlético are angry, and me more than anyone," he declared, "It is the same to lose by one or six but it never had to be such a big result. We have asked excuses because we made too many errors and it must be understood it was an accident."

"We are already thinking about Real Madrid and to win always does you good, but to win the derby is very special. In the last five years we have only drawn with them but this has to change someday," he mused.

Indeed, the match with Real Madrid is in the middle of a busy period for Atlético as they play Liverpool in the Champions League and then Villarreal in the league also. Speaking about the priorities of the club the president is under no illusion as to what the number one objective is.

"I prefer the league to the Champions League. That is the objective as that is what we work for and remaining amongst the top three or four is necessary," he explained.

The match with Liverpool will see a return to the Vicente Calderón for Fernando Torres and Cerezo says that he will be welcomed back to Madrid.

"Fernando has to be received with affection and respect, he is one of the best players in Europe. The decision to let him go was accepted and it was best for both of us," said the president.

Cerezo was speaking today as he finalised a deal which will see the Vicente Calderón sold in around twenty days as Atlético prepare to move to their new stadium. There are only believed to be a few more minor points to decide on before the deal goes through which would leave the stadium in the hands of the City Hall rather than the club.

James Walker-Roberts