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Copa del Rey Preview: Racing Santander – Atletico Madrid
A triple header between los Racinguistas and Atleti concludes on Thursday evening, though surely it is simply a formality as the visitors hold a powerful 4-0 advantage.
Feb 10, 2010 6:00:00 AM
By Robin Bairner
Kick Off: Thursday, January 11, 2010
El Sardinero, Santander
Mammoth Task
Though Racing Santander approach their midweek fixture against Atletico Madrid in relatively good shape as far as their league position is concerned, there will have to be a mammoth turnaround in this fixture if Miguel Angel Portugal’s side are to somehow squeeze through to the Copa del Rey final. Los Colchoneros landed four devastating blows to their opponents last week in the Vicente Calderon, not receiving one in return, and stand on the very brink of progression.
Of course, this Copa double-header has been spiced up with the addition of a Primera Division clash sandwiched by the fixtures. Honors finished even in Sunday’s match, with the hosts successfully continuing their lengthy unbeaten run under Portugal, which is slowly dragging them away from the foot of the Liga table.
However, Racing’s coach wasn’t entirely happy with his side’s weekend showing, hinting that he felt they should have claimed all three points, and questioned the refereeing of the match, which he stated favored Atleti.
“A win would have put a fear into them [ahead of Copa second leg]. On points we have won but this isn't boxing, it's football and you must score goals,” he told the press after Sunday’s fragmented encounter.
The fact that relegation seems unlikely to be an issue for the Santander side can only relieve some of the pressure on their shoulders going into this game. A strong, confident unit can be deployed by Portugal to attempt to instigate one of football’s great comebacks.
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
After displaying their trademark traits of freewheeling exuberance in the midweek Copa match, Atletico Madrid’s performance against Racing Santander left a little to be desired at the weekend. Though Quique Sanchez Flores saw his team break their surprising scoring duck in La Liga, they failed to pick up maximum points and remain only six points above the drop zone.
Rather than an open, entertaining encounter at El Sardinero last weekend, the match was played in a stodgy manner, with too many petty fouls committed to allow for a game of football to really break out. Atleti moved ahead when Diego Forlan forced home from close range after seeing his initial effort hit the post, though a defensive error from Luis Perea allowed Gonzalo Colsa to level matters before the break.
There were talking points aplenty after the interval, but most surrounded the arbitration of the match. Visiting goalkeeper David De Gea was somewhat fortunate to get away with a trip on Mohamed Tchite, who would surely have scored the rebound from his initial effort had he not been hampered by the goalkeeper.
“At no time have we thought about the Copa, I think it was an intense game and it was difficult for us because we were beat the same opponents 4-0 this week,” explained Sanchez Flores, who also praised the referee for his performance during an “intense game”.
In the three previous matches between the sides this term, Racing have won once, Atleti have claimed a solitary success and the other fixture – Sunday’s – was shared. The likelihood of a turnaround is slim, but this is cup football and anything can happen, especially if one of the sides is as unpredictable as los Colchoneros.
FORM GUIDE
Racing
DREW 1-1 (h) Atletico Madrid (Liga, February 7)
LOST 4-0 (a) Atletico Madrid (Copa del Rey, February 4)
DREW 0-0 (a) Getafe (Liga, January 31)
WON 3-0 (a) Osasuna (Copa del Rey, January 27)
WON 1-0 (a) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, January 24)
Atletico
DREW 1-1 (a) Racing Santander (Liga, February 7)
WON 4-0 (h) Racing Santander (Copa del Rey, February 4)
LOST 2-0 (h) Malaga (Liga, January 31)
WON 1-0 (a) Celta Vigo (Copa del Rey, January 28)
LOST 1-0 (a) Getafe (Liga, January 24)
TEAM NEWS
Racing
Tono is completing his recovery from injury and should be back involved in first team action in the near future. Additionally, Arana is close to recovering from his illness.
Henrique is back in Brazil to attend the birth of his first child and will not be involved in this fixture.
Probable Starting XI: Coltorti; Pinillos, Moraton, Torrejon, Christian; Lacen, Colsa; Munitis, Canales, Serrano; Xisco
Atletico
Jose Antonio Reyes is back training with the first team squad, while Pablo Ibanez has trained normally too. In addition, Salvio is close to full fitness and could feature for the first team in the near future.
Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Dominguez, Lopez; Simao, Assuncao, Raul Garcia, Reyes; Jurado, Aguero
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Racing
If Racing really go and attack this fixture like they can win it, Sergio Canales is the man who can make the difference. The youngster is set to go to Real Madrid and has already proven his class on a handful of occasions in his young career. Should the young offensive midfielder instigate the most unlikely of comebacks, his star status would surely go through the roof.
Atletico
Atleti’s defense has looked porous all season but only needs to stay relatively strong on Thursday evening. Arguably their strongest defender over the course of the month has been youngster Alvaro Dominguez. Able to feature either on the left or center of the rearguard, the 20-year-old has already featured for the Spanish Under-21 side and is on the right track to feature for the full national team in the future.
PREDICTION
Atletico Madrid do have a propensity to self-destruct, but cruising into this game with a four goal advantage there can surely be only one side to progress. Racing must simply try to win some face back and hope that they can perhaps score a couple of goals in the first half hour to really ruffle their opponents. The hosts may well win, but they won’t do enough, with Atleti scoring an away goal to utterly kill the tie.
Racing Santander 1-1 Atletico Madrid
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El Sardinero, Santander
Mammoth Task
Though Racing Santander approach their midweek fixture against Atletico Madrid in relatively good shape as far as their league position is concerned, there will have to be a mammoth turnaround in this fixture if Miguel Angel Portugal’s side are to somehow squeeze through to the Copa del Rey final. Los Colchoneros landed four devastating blows to their opponents last week in the Vicente Calderon, not receiving one in return, and stand on the very brink of progression.
Of course, this Copa double-header has been spiced up with the addition of a Primera Division clash sandwiched by the fixtures. Honors finished even in Sunday’s match, with the hosts successfully continuing their lengthy unbeaten run under Portugal, which is slowly dragging them away from the foot of the Liga table.
However, Racing’s coach wasn’t entirely happy with his side’s weekend showing, hinting that he felt they should have claimed all three points, and questioned the refereeing of the match, which he stated favored Atleti.
“A win would have put a fear into them [ahead of Copa second leg]. On points we have won but this isn't boxing, it's football and you must score goals,” he told the press after Sunday’s fragmented encounter.
The fact that relegation seems unlikely to be an issue for the Santander side can only relieve some of the pressure on their shoulders going into this game. A strong, confident unit can be deployed by Portugal to attempt to instigate one of football’s great comebacks.
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
After displaying their trademark traits of freewheeling exuberance in the midweek Copa match, Atletico Madrid’s performance against Racing Santander left a little to be desired at the weekend. Though Quique Sanchez Flores saw his team break their surprising scoring duck in La Liga, they failed to pick up maximum points and remain only six points above the drop zone.
Rather than an open, entertaining encounter at El Sardinero last weekend, the match was played in a stodgy manner, with too many petty fouls committed to allow for a game of football to really break out. Atleti moved ahead when Diego Forlan forced home from close range after seeing his initial effort hit the post, though a defensive error from Luis Perea allowed Gonzalo Colsa to level matters before the break.
There were talking points aplenty after the interval, but most surrounded the arbitration of the match. Visiting goalkeeper David De Gea was somewhat fortunate to get away with a trip on Mohamed Tchite, who would surely have scored the rebound from his initial effort had he not been hampered by the goalkeeper.
“At no time have we thought about the Copa, I think it was an intense game and it was difficult for us because we were beat the same opponents 4-0 this week,” explained Sanchez Flores, who also praised the referee for his performance during an “intense game”.
In the three previous matches between the sides this term, Racing have won once, Atleti have claimed a solitary success and the other fixture – Sunday’s – was shared. The likelihood of a turnaround is slim, but this is cup football and anything can happen, especially if one of the sides is as unpredictable as los Colchoneros.
FORM GUIDE
Racing
DREW 1-1 (h) Atletico Madrid (Liga, February 7)
LOST 4-0 (a) Atletico Madrid (Copa del Rey, February 4)
DREW 0-0 (a) Getafe (Liga, January 31)
WON 3-0 (a) Osasuna (Copa del Rey, January 27)
WON 1-0 (a) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, January 24)
Atletico
DREW 1-1 (a) Racing Santander (Liga, February 7)
WON 4-0 (h) Racing Santander (Copa del Rey, February 4)
LOST 2-0 (h) Malaga (Liga, January 31)
WON 1-0 (a) Celta Vigo (Copa del Rey, January 28)
LOST 1-0 (a) Getafe (Liga, January 24)
TEAM NEWS
Racing
Tono is completing his recovery from injury and should be back involved in first team action in the near future. Additionally, Arana is close to recovering from his illness.
Henrique is back in Brazil to attend the birth of his first child and will not be involved in this fixture.
Probable Starting XI: Coltorti; Pinillos, Moraton, Torrejon, Christian; Lacen, Colsa; Munitis, Canales, Serrano; Xisco
Atletico
Jose Antonio Reyes is back training with the first team squad, while Pablo Ibanez has trained normally too. In addition, Salvio is close to full fitness and could feature for the first team in the near future.
Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Dominguez, Lopez; Simao, Assuncao, Raul Garcia, Reyes; Jurado, Aguero
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Racing
If Racing really go and attack this fixture like they can win it, Sergio Canales is the man who can make the difference. The youngster is set to go to Real Madrid and has already proven his class on a handful of occasions in his young career. Should the young offensive midfielder instigate the most unlikely of comebacks, his star status would surely go through the roof.
Atletico
Atleti’s defense has looked porous all season but only needs to stay relatively strong on Thursday evening. Arguably their strongest defender over the course of the month has been youngster Alvaro Dominguez. Able to feature either on the left or center of the rearguard, the 20-year-old has already featured for the Spanish Under-21 side and is on the right track to feature for the full national team in the future.
PREDICTION
Atletico Madrid do have a propensity to self-destruct, but cruising into this game with a four goal advantage there can surely be only one side to progress. Racing must simply try to win some face back and hope that they can perhaps score a couple of goals in the first half hour to really ruffle their opponents. The hosts may well win, but they won’t do enough, with Atleti scoring an away goal to utterly kill the tie.
Racing Santander 1-1 Atletico Madrid
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