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Friends Of Don Quixote: Mexican Wave
Hugo Sanchez dreams of managing a top club someday, but a defeat on Sunday could mean the end of the road at Almeria.
Dec 17, 2009 10:44:25 PM
By David Mosse
Hugo may not be boss for much longer. Almeria president Alfonso Garcia has made no secret of the fact he is considering a change, as the club continues to sink towards the relegation zone. Sanchez's presence on the bench this Sunday against Espanyol was even in question until late in the week.
Another setback would likely spell the end with the winter break giving Garcia ample time to find a replacement. The same can be said of Sanchez's counterpart this weekend. Mauricio Pochettino did come away strengthened from the defeat at Barcelona, but Espanyol is winless in its last seven league games and needs to pick things up as well.
The demise of the Mexican legend is the bigger story, though. He arrived last winter with Almeria in arguably worse shape than it is right now and sparked an impressive turnaround, as the team went 8-1-2 at home in the second half of the year. This season started off well enough, but a 3-0 loss to Valencia on October 25 has triggered a downward spiral.
Since that defeat, Almeria boasts only one league victory and has slipped to 16th in the table. In truth, the problems began last summer with a disappointing transfer campaign. The club never did replace leading scorer Alvaro Negredo. He has been sorely missed in matches such as the recent 1-1 draw against Deportivo when Almeria squandered numerous chances to put the game away.
But Sanchez has some decent talent to work with, including one of the best kept secrets in La Liga in Argentine youngster Pablo Piatti. Left winger Albert Crusat is an interesting player as well. Part of the problem this season has been a lack of tactical organization, which falls on the manager's shoulders. Sanchez also struggles when it comes to in-game adjustments.
Against Deportivo, he made only one change, opting to leave striker Henok Goitom warming up on the sidelines the entire second half. The visitors brought on three players and turned the match around. Sanchez needs to improve in these areas if he is to succeed at the highest levels. At 51, time is on his side, but the trouble is he already seems to think he's a great manager.
Coaching proved easy enough back in Mexico where he guided Pumas to a pair of league titles. But the success quickly went to his head, and Sanchez began an incessant campaign for the national team job. When the opportunity finally came after the 2006 World Cup, he lasted only 16 months.
After a few good results with Almeria, Sanchez was at it again, talking himself up as a candidate for Real Madrid. Such a move didn't exactly endear him to Garcia, the man who will now decide his fate. Striking out with Los Rojiblancos would indeed be a major setback to his managerial career. After all, Real Madrid isn't in the habit of hiring Almeria rejects.
Real Zaragoza pulled the trigger last weekend, letting Marcelino Garcia go following a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Reserve team coach Jose Aurelio Gay makes his debut against Madrid at the Bernabeu this weekend. The Merengues can move to within two points of Barcelona, with the Catalan giants busy conquering the rest of the world in the Club World Cup.
Elsewhere, Valencia looks to recover from a disappointing loss to Madrid when it takes on Deportivo at the Riazor, and Villareal can continue its climb up the table against suddenly surging Racing Santander. The Yellow Submarine has won four in a row at home and, unlike some of his colleagues, Ernesto Valverde appears to be on solid ground heading into the break.
First Quest: Sevilla vs. Getafe
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Sevilla picked up an important victory away to Sporting Gijon last Sunday, thanks to another goal from Frederic Kanoute. The only negative was the injury to Adriano, who limped off in the first half and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks. He joins countryman Luis Fabiano on the injury list, as the striker is not expected back until early next year.
Kanoute leads the attack at the moment, but Sevilla could use a return to form from Alvaro Negredo. The 24-year-old hasn't found the back of the net since late October and missed two great chances against Sporting. The good news is that Getafe will be minus defender Rafa Lopez, and Javier Casquero and Fabio Celestini could miss out as well. Both will be game-time decisions.
Michel's side bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Villarreal the previous week with a 2-1 win over Tenerife last Sunday. Juan Albin scored both goals, making up for the absence of Roberto Soldado, and Pedro Leon put forth another brilliant performance down the right side. Getafe only has one victory away from home since the first week of the season.
Second Quest: Deportivo vs. Valencia
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
With the exception of Barcelona, perhaps nowhere is the hatred for Real Madrid stronger than in Valencia. Which means Unai Emery had a tough job boosting the morale of his team after the defeat to Madrid at the Mestalla. A dramatic victory over Genoa in the Europa League on Thursday may have done the trick, as Los Che booked a place in the next round of the competition.
Carlos Marchena limped off against Genoa and his status for the weekend is unknown, but David Villa will certainly feature at the Riazor. El Guaje bagged his league-leading 12th goal of the season against Real. Valencia has been a sparkling team away from home, and will put its record to the test against a Deportivo side hoping to count on Andres Guardado.
The Mexican winger missed the 1-1 draw against Almeria with a muscle injury, but is expected to be available for Sunday's showdown. Juan Carlos Valeron made an impact off the bench once again last week, setting up Pablo Alvarez for the tying goal.
Ladies-in-waiting: Real Madrid vs. Real Zaragoza
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Cristiano Ronaldo returns after serving a suspension against Valencia, but Real Madrid faces a possible crisis at the back. Pepe has been lost for the season, and Raul Albiol is questionable for Saturday's match due to a shoulder injury. With Christoph Metzelder not completely fit, Sergio Ramos could be pressed into action at center back, a position some would like to see him play permanently.
Interim boss Jose Aurelio Gay chose to hold practice behind closed doors this week, offering no clue as to how Real Zaragoza plans to line up at the Bernabeu. Jermaine Pennant should be available, despite dealing with some muscle problems in recent days. Carlos Diogo will take on his former team after coming back from a long-term knee injury last Saturday against Athletic Bilbao.
Ladies-in-waiting: Espanyol vs. Almeria
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
Espanyol's injury woes continue, as left back David Garcia has been virtually ruled out for the match against Almeria. Fernando Marques and Raul Tamudo will be sidelined as well, and there is no return date in sight for Ivan de la Pena. Mauricio Pochettino can count on Raul Baena, as the defender had his red card for disputing last week's phantom penalty against Barcelona revoked.
Hugo Sanchez suffered a major scare on Thursday when Kalu Uche was forced to leave training with a muscle pain, but the Nigerian striker should be ready to start on Sunday. He has been one of the few bright spots of late, scoring in three straight games. Also available will be Albert Crusat and Hernan Bernardello. Both missed the Deportivo match due to illness.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna
Malaga vs. Mallorca
Valladolid vs. Sporting Gijon
Villarreal vs. Racing Santander
Tenerife vs. Atletico Madrid
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men of La Mancha" on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
Hugo may not be boss for much longer. Almeria president Alfonso Garcia has made no secret of the fact he is considering a change, as the club continues to sink towards the relegation zone. Sanchez's presence on the bench this Sunday against Espanyol was even in question until late in the week.
Another setback would likely spell the end with the winter break giving Garcia ample time to find a replacement. The same can be said of Sanchez's counterpart this weekend. Mauricio Pochettino did come away strengthened from the defeat at Barcelona, but Espanyol is winless in its last seven league games and needs to pick things up as well.
The demise of the Mexican legend is the bigger story, though. He arrived last winter with Almeria in arguably worse shape than it is right now and sparked an impressive turnaround, as the team went 8-1-2 at home in the second half of the year. This season started off well enough, but a 3-0 loss to Valencia on October 25 has triggered a downward spiral.
Since that defeat, Almeria boasts only one league victory and has slipped to 16th in the table. In truth, the problems began last summer with a disappointing transfer campaign. The club never did replace leading scorer Alvaro Negredo. He has been sorely missed in matches such as the recent 1-1 draw against Deportivo when Almeria squandered numerous chances to put the game away.
But Sanchez has some decent talent to work with, including one of the best kept secrets in La Liga in Argentine youngster Pablo Piatti. Left winger Albert Crusat is an interesting player as well. Part of the problem this season has been a lack of tactical organization, which falls on the manager's shoulders. Sanchez also struggles when it comes to in-game adjustments.
Against Deportivo, he made only one change, opting to leave striker Henok Goitom warming up on the sidelines the entire second half. The visitors brought on three players and turned the match around. Sanchez needs to improve in these areas if he is to succeed at the highest levels. At 51, time is on his side, but the trouble is he already seems to think he's a great manager.
Coaching proved easy enough back in Mexico where he guided Pumas to a pair of league titles. But the success quickly went to his head, and Sanchez began an incessant campaign for the national team job. When the opportunity finally came after the 2006 World Cup, he lasted only 16 months.
 |
Real Zaragoza pulled the trigger last weekend, letting Marcelino Garcia go following a 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Reserve team coach Jose Aurelio Gay makes his debut against Madrid at the Bernabeu this weekend. The Merengues can move to within two points of Barcelona, with the Catalan giants busy conquering the rest of the world in the Club World Cup.
Elsewhere, Valencia looks to recover from a disappointing loss to Madrid when it takes on Deportivo at the Riazor, and Villareal can continue its climb up the table against suddenly surging Racing Santander. The Yellow Submarine has won four in a row at home and, unlike some of his colleagues, Ernesto Valverde appears to be on solid ground heading into the break.
 |
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Sevilla picked up an important victory away to Sporting Gijon last Sunday, thanks to another goal from Frederic Kanoute. The only negative was the injury to Adriano, who limped off in the first half and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks. He joins countryman Luis Fabiano on the injury list, as the striker is not expected back until early next year.
Kanoute leads the attack at the moment, but Sevilla could use a return to form from Alvaro Negredo. The 24-year-old hasn't found the back of the net since late October and missed two great chances against Sporting. The good news is that Getafe will be minus defender Rafa Lopez, and Javier Casquero and Fabio Celestini could miss out as well. Both will be game-time decisions.
Michel's side bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Villarreal the previous week with a 2-1 win over Tenerife last Sunday. Juan Albin scored both goals, making up for the absence of Roberto Soldado, and Pedro Leon put forth another brilliant performance down the right side. Getafe only has one victory away from home since the first week of the season.
Second Quest: Deportivo vs. Valencia
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
With the exception of Barcelona, perhaps nowhere is the hatred for Real Madrid stronger than in Valencia. Which means Unai Emery had a tough job boosting the morale of his team after the defeat to Madrid at the Mestalla. A dramatic victory over Genoa in the Europa League on Thursday may have done the trick, as Los Che booked a place in the next round of the competition.
Carlos Marchena limped off against Genoa and his status for the weekend is unknown, but David Villa will certainly feature at the Riazor. El Guaje bagged his league-leading 12th goal of the season against Real. Valencia has been a sparkling team away from home, and will put its record to the test against a Deportivo side hoping to count on Andres Guardado.
The Mexican winger missed the 1-1 draw against Almeria with a muscle injury, but is expected to be available for Sunday's showdown. Juan Carlos Valeron made an impact off the bench once again last week, setting up Pablo Alvarez for the tying goal.
Ladies-in-waiting: Real Madrid vs. Real Zaragoza
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
 |
Interim boss Jose Aurelio Gay chose to hold practice behind closed doors this week, offering no clue as to how Real Zaragoza plans to line up at the Bernabeu. Jermaine Pennant should be available, despite dealing with some muscle problems in recent days. Carlos Diogo will take on his former team after coming back from a long-term knee injury last Saturday against Athletic Bilbao.
Ladies-in-waiting: Espanyol vs. Almeria
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
Espanyol's injury woes continue, as left back David Garcia has been virtually ruled out for the match against Almeria. Fernando Marques and Raul Tamudo will be sidelined as well, and there is no return date in sight for Ivan de la Pena. Mauricio Pochettino can count on Raul Baena, as the defender had his red card for disputing last week's phantom penalty against Barcelona revoked.
Hugo Sanchez suffered a major scare on Thursday when Kalu Uche was forced to leave training with a muscle pain, but the Nigerian striker should be ready to start on Sunday. He has been one of the few bright spots of late, scoring in three straight games. Also available will be Albert Crusat and Hernan Bernardello. Both missed the Deportivo match due to illness.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna
Malaga vs. Mallorca
Valladolid vs. Sporting Gijon
Villarreal vs. Racing Santander
Tenerife vs. Atletico Madrid
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men of La Mancha" on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
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