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Friends Of Don Quixote: Jesus Navas Ready For Madrid Audition
The Sevilla winger has been mentioned as a potential transfer target this summer, and will get another crack at the Merengues on Saturday.
Mar 5, 2010 12:26:00 AM
By David Mosse
Barcelona and Real Madrid have indeed broken away from the pack, and sometimes look to be competing in their own separate league. Back in October, Sevilla offered some hope that things could be different with a convincing 2-1 win over Madrid behind a sensational performance by Jesus Navas. The 24-year-old will need to be at his absolute best again on Saturday, as Sevilla tries to become the first team to pick up any points at the Bernabeu.
Navas continues to shine this season, and there is a growing sentiment in Madrid that he should be the club's top offseason target, not Franck Ribery. Convincing Florentino Perez to pursue a Spanish player rather than a high-profile foreigner won't be easy, but the talented winger could strengthen his case with another dazzling display in front of Perez on Saturday. Of course, Navas will be facing a very different Madrid side than the one he torched back in October.
For starters, Manuel Pellegrini is unlikely to repeat the same mistake of lining up Marcelo opposite Navas. The Brazilian looked so out of his depth in that match, he probably cost himself any chance of going to the World Cup. Ezequiel Garay should reclaim his place in the center of defense, with Sergio Ramos returning to the right side and Alvaro Arbeloa occupying the left-back position. Ramos will have his hands full with another possible Madrid target in Diego Perotti.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed the first meeting with an ankle injury, but will be in the starting lineup on Saturday along side Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine was a second-half substitute at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, as Pellegrini opted for a partnership of Karim Benzema and Raul, but Higuain has since blossomed into arguably the finest striker in all of Europe. He was on target again on Wednesday for his country in an international friendly against Germany.
With Ronaldo and Higuain in unstoppable form, and Kaka showing signs of improvement last week against Tenerife, Manolo Jimenez probably needs another big effort from Andres Palop. The 36-year-old has been Sevilla's best player other than Navas in the second half of this season, and still maintains hopes of claiming a spot in Spain's World Cup squad behind Iker Casillas. In the October clash, Casillas made one of the greatest saves of his career, denying Perotti from close range.
Sevilla can't afford to squander those same opportunities on Saturday, which makes the return from suspension of Alvaro Negredo so important. Jimenez must make do without Luis Fabiano, as the Brazilian has yet to recover from the chest injury that ruled him out of last week's game against Athletic Bilbao. His absence could mean another start for veteran striker Frederic Kanoute, if the Sevilla boss opts for two men up front.
The scoreless draw at home against Bilbao left the Andalucian club just three points above Mallorca for the fourth and final Champions League position. Gregorio Manzano's side notched a pivotal come-from-behind victory over Valladolid last Sunday, and returns to the Ono Estadi for the first time since losing its invincibility at home two weeks ago against Sevilla. Mallorca hosts Sporting Gijon this weekend, and with a victory could move up to fourth on goal difference.
Valencia is unlikely to lose any ground in the fight for third place, as it welcomes Racing Santander to the Mestalla. Los Che are coming off an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid, but Racing is the worst side in La Liga at the moment and looks incapable of beating anyone. David Villa was shut down by the Atletico defense and enters this round tied with Lionel Messi in the race for the Pichichi.
Messi will set his sights on an Almeria team that has played much better since replacing Hugo Sanchez with Juan Manuel Lillo. Barcelona earned a hard-fought 2-1 win at home last week against Malaga to remain atop the standings. Elsewhere, Deportivo tries to get its struggling attack going against a porous Tenerife back line, while Villarreal takes on Espanyol with Juan Carlos Garrido's side looking to post two straight wins for the first time since the winter break.
First Quest: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Sevilla has been hit hard by suspensions in recent weeks and will be without midfielder Koffi Romaric, sent off last Sunday against Athletic Bilbao. Didier Zokora does return from suspension along with Alvaro Negredo. The 24-year-old striker has plenty to prove on Saturday, as Madrid passed up an opportunity to bring him back this season, in favor of signing Karim Benzema -- another example of Florentino Perez preferring foreign players.
The absence of Luis Fabiano could mean another chance from the start for Frederic Kanoute, who was largely ineffective in the match against Bilbao. Sevilla will need to score goals to keep up with a Real attack that looks virtually unstoppable at the moment. Gonzalo Higuain continues to enhance his reputation and is now right behind Lionel Messi and David Villa in the race for the Pichichi.
Perhaps of even better news to Manuel Pellegrini is the fact that Kaka has seemingly awoken from his slumber. The Brazilian was no doubt helped by the frenetic pace of last week's game in Tenerife, but he played some of his best soccer of the season in the second half. Marcelo also performed well, setting up Higuain's first goal, and Pellegrini might be tempted to insert him into the midfield, assuming the 21-year-old isn't starting at left back.
Second Quest: Almeria vs. Barcelona
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
For the second straight week, Barcelona faces a smaller side brimming with confidence. Pep Guardiola was pleased with the performance in the 2-1 win over Malaga last Saturday, even if the Catalan giants made things harder on themselves with some lousy finishing throughout. But Guardiola knows his team needs to play even better this weekend against an Almeria team unbeaten in five league games.
The decision to sack Hugo Sanchez has proven to be a stroke of genius, as new manager Juan Manuel Lillo is engineering a remarkable turnaround. Almeria picked up another victory last week against Racing Santander and is now within striking distance of an Europa spot. The talented duo of Albert Crusat and Pablo Piatti could cause problems for a Barcelona defense split open several times by Malaga.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed two days of training this week with a back problem, but Guardiola expects he'll be available. The Swede is struggling to regain his form from the first half of the season, placing an even greater burden on Lionel Messi to supply the goals. Messi did score the winner against Malaga, finishing off a wonderful team move involving Xavi and Daniel Alves. He is tied with David Villa in the race for the Pichichi.
Ladies-in-waiting: Espanyol vs. Villarreal
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST
Villarreal's back line finally put forth a competent effort last week against Deportivo, but the visitors didn't pose much of a threat. Joseba Llorente scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory after receiving a clever pass from Nilmar. The Brazilian was used in a more withdrawn role and got to show off his full repertoire of skills, particularly in the first half. David Fuster also turned in another strong performance and will be counted on to lead the attack.
Espanyol was held to a disappointing draw away to Xerez last week, but Mauricio Pochettino's side has played much better at El Prat, winning four of its last five league games. Los Periquitos finally unloaded disappointing Japanese signing Shunsuke Nakamura, sending him back to his home country. There was also news this week from Ivan de la Pena, who claims he could be back on the field in three months.
Ladies-in-waiting: Real Zaragoza vs. Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
After picking up only its second away victory of the campaign against Getafe, Real Zaragoza returns home to face surging Atletico Madrid. Chilean striker Humberto Suazo scored twice last week and has provided a significant boost since arriving during the winter break, as Zaragoza begins to distance itself from the relegation zone. The question this week is whether the Zaragoza back line can hold up against a dangerous Atletico attack.
Diego Forlan scored two goals in an impressive 4-1 trouncing of Valencia last Sunday, while Sergio Aguero and Jose Antonio Reyes continue to provide a great deal of inspiration. Los Colchoneros are experiencing their best moment of the season, and Quique Flores revealed this week he's even been approached about a contract extension. Flores took charge back in October following the dismissal of Abel Resino.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Deportivo vs. Tenerife
Malaga vs. Xerez
Mallorca vs. Sporting Gijon
Osasuna vs. Getafe
Athletic Bilbao vs. Valladolid
Valencia vs. Racing Santander
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men 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
Navas continues to shine this season, and there is a growing sentiment in Madrid that he should be the club's top offseason target, not Franck Ribery. Convincing Florentino Perez to pursue a Spanish player rather than a high-profile foreigner won't be easy, but the talented winger could strengthen his case with another dazzling display in front of Perez on Saturday. Of course, Navas will be facing a very different Madrid side than the one he torched back in October.
For starters, Manuel Pellegrini is unlikely to repeat the same mistake of lining up Marcelo opposite Navas. The Brazilian looked so out of his depth in that match, he probably cost himself any chance of going to the World Cup. Ezequiel Garay should reclaim his place in the center of defense, with Sergio Ramos returning to the right side and Alvaro Arbeloa occupying the left-back position. Ramos will have his hands full with another possible Madrid target in Diego Perotti.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed the first meeting with an ankle injury, but will be in the starting lineup on Saturday along side Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine was a second-half substitute at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, as Pellegrini opted for a partnership of Karim Benzema and Raul, but Higuain has since blossomed into arguably the finest striker in all of Europe. He was on target again on Wednesday for his country in an international friendly against Germany.
With Ronaldo and Higuain in unstoppable form, and Kaka showing signs of improvement last week against Tenerife, Manolo Jimenez probably needs another big effort from Andres Palop. The 36-year-old has been Sevilla's best player other than Navas in the second half of this season, and still maintains hopes of claiming a spot in Spain's World Cup squad behind Iker Casillas. In the October clash, Casillas made one of the greatest saves of his career, denying Perotti from close range.
Sevilla can't afford to squander those same opportunities on Saturday, which makes the return from suspension of Alvaro Negredo so important. Jimenez must make do without Luis Fabiano, as the Brazilian has yet to recover from the chest injury that ruled him out of last week's game against Athletic Bilbao. His absence could mean another start for veteran striker Frederic Kanoute, if the Sevilla boss opts for two men up front.
The scoreless draw at home against Bilbao left the Andalucian club just three points above Mallorca for the fourth and final Champions League position. Gregorio Manzano's side notched a pivotal come-from-behind victory over Valladolid last Sunday, and returns to the Ono Estadi for the first time since losing its invincibility at home two weeks ago against Sevilla. Mallorca hosts Sporting Gijon this weekend, and with a victory could move up to fourth on goal difference.
Valencia is unlikely to lose any ground in the fight for third place, as it welcomes Racing Santander to the Mestalla. Los Che are coming off an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid, but Racing is the worst side in La Liga at the moment and looks incapable of beating anyone. David Villa was shut down by the Atletico defense and enters this round tied with Lionel Messi in the race for the Pichichi.
Messi will set his sights on an Almeria team that has played much better since replacing Hugo Sanchez with Juan Manuel Lillo. Barcelona earned a hard-fought 2-1 win at home last week against Malaga to remain atop the standings. Elsewhere, Deportivo tries to get its struggling attack going against a porous Tenerife back line, while Villarreal takes on Espanyol with Juan Carlos Garrido's side looking to post two straight wins for the first time since the winter break.
First Quest: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Sevilla has been hit hard by suspensions in recent weeks and will be without midfielder Koffi Romaric, sent off last Sunday against Athletic Bilbao. Didier Zokora does return from suspension along with Alvaro Negredo. The 24-year-old striker has plenty to prove on Saturday, as Madrid passed up an opportunity to bring him back this season, in favor of signing Karim Benzema -- another example of Florentino Perez preferring foreign players.
The absence of Luis Fabiano could mean another chance from the start for Frederic Kanoute, who was largely ineffective in the match against Bilbao. Sevilla will need to score goals to keep up with a Real attack that looks virtually unstoppable at the moment. Gonzalo Higuain continues to enhance his reputation and is now right behind Lionel Messi and David Villa in the race for the Pichichi.
Perhaps of even better news to Manuel Pellegrini is the fact that Kaka has seemingly awoken from his slumber. The Brazilian was no doubt helped by the frenetic pace of last week's game in Tenerife, but he played some of his best soccer of the season in the second half. Marcelo also performed well, setting up Higuain's first goal, and Pellegrini might be tempted to insert him into the midfield, assuming the 21-year-old isn't starting at left back.
Second Quest: Almeria vs. Barcelona
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes
For the second straight week, Barcelona faces a smaller side brimming with confidence. Pep Guardiola was pleased with the performance in the 2-1 win over Malaga last Saturday, even if the Catalan giants made things harder on themselves with some lousy finishing throughout. But Guardiola knows his team needs to play even better this weekend against an Almeria team unbeaten in five league games.
The decision to sack Hugo Sanchez has proven to be a stroke of genius, as new manager Juan Manuel Lillo is engineering a remarkable turnaround. Almeria picked up another victory last week against Racing Santander and is now within striking distance of an Europa spot. The talented duo of Albert Crusat and Pablo Piatti could cause problems for a Barcelona defense split open several times by Malaga.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed two days of training this week with a back problem, but Guardiola expects he'll be available. The Swede is struggling to regain his form from the first half of the season, placing an even greater burden on Lionel Messi to supply the goals. Messi did score the winner against Malaga, finishing off a wonderful team move involving Xavi and Daniel Alves. He is tied with David Villa in the race for the Pichichi.
Ladies-in-waiting: Espanyol vs. Villarreal
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST
Villarreal's back line finally put forth a competent effort last week against Deportivo, but the visitors didn't pose much of a threat. Joseba Llorente scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory after receiving a clever pass from Nilmar. The Brazilian was used in a more withdrawn role and got to show off his full repertoire of skills, particularly in the first half. David Fuster also turned in another strong performance and will be counted on to lead the attack.
Espanyol was held to a disappointing draw away to Xerez last week, but Mauricio Pochettino's side has played much better at El Prat, winning four of its last five league games. Los Periquitos finally unloaded disappointing Japanese signing Shunsuke Nakamura, sending him back to his home country. There was also news this week from Ivan de la Pena, who claims he could be back on the field in three months.
Ladies-in-waiting: Real Zaragoza vs. Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
After picking up only its second away victory of the campaign against Getafe, Real Zaragoza returns home to face surging Atletico Madrid. Chilean striker Humberto Suazo scored twice last week and has provided a significant boost since arriving during the winter break, as Zaragoza begins to distance itself from the relegation zone. The question this week is whether the Zaragoza back line can hold up against a dangerous Atletico attack.
Diego Forlan scored two goals in an impressive 4-1 trouncing of Valencia last Sunday, while Sergio Aguero and Jose Antonio Reyes continue to provide a great deal of inspiration. Los Colchoneros are experiencing their best moment of the season, and Quique Flores revealed this week he's even been approached about a contract extension. Flores took charge back in October following the dismissal of Abel Resino.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Deportivo vs. Tenerife
Malaga vs. Xerez
Mallorca vs. Sporting Gijon
Osasuna vs. Getafe
Athletic Bilbao vs. Valladolid
Valencia vs. Racing Santander
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men 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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