play pause open Close
 
Played
January 17, 2011 8:00 PM GMT
Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid
Referee:‬ Miguel Ayza‎
Attendance:‬ 17000‎
 
13′ Juan Valera
 
 
90+4′ Reyes
 

La Liga Preview: Atletico Madrid - Mallorca

Stung by city rivals Real Madrid on Thursday night, los Colchoneros attempt to bounce back against els Barralets...

By Robin Bairner

'Kun' Aguero passionately celebrates his crucial goal that takes Atletico Madrid past Espanyol in the Copa del Rey (Getty images)
Considering The Derby Blues

In a madcap derby encounter on Thursday evening, Atletico Madrid once again fell short of fierce city-rivals Real, who benefitted from los Colchoneros’ inability to defend to claim a 3-1 advantage heading into next week’s second leg encounter. Atleti won’t have long to ponder the loss, as they are immediately faced with a difficult Monday night encounter against Mallorca.

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores was angry about his club being forced to play at the same time last week, labelling it an insult to Atletico Madrid to make them play at such an unconventional hour. And against Hercules, his players played like they were in a strop, leaking three first half goals en route to an embarrassing 4-1 loss against the newly promoted side.

An improvement was certainly evident in midweek against los Blancos, but after going 1-0 up thanks to a Diego Forlan tap-in before 10 minutes had been played, the home side were allowed to dictate what was a franticly exciting match to watch.

While Flores pondered the ability of his side to bounce back from their Copa del Rey deficit, which was made problematic by the concession of a 90th minute Mesut Oezil goal, he was also keen to stress that the Primera Division cannot be allowed to go forgotten.

Champions League hopes for los Colchoneros are fading after a run of two wins in six matches and seven points back of fourth placed Valencia, no silly slips can be afforded.

Dangerous Islanders

Mallorca are locked with Atletico Madrid on 27 points, but their goal at the start of the season was far more modest. Taking over an outfit bereft of finances and stripped of their best players, Michael Laudrup was simply instructed to guide the Balearic club away from relegation, but on the verge of the season’s halfway point, els Barralets can again hope to finish in the European spots.

Europa League football was denied to the Islanders last term on behalf of their poor financial state, and if they were to achieve a finish as lofty as last season’s fifth, it would be an utterly remarkable achievement.

Laudrup’s men remain a strong force at the Estadio Iberostar – though they are no longer the all conquering side they were  at the venue last season – but the Dane wants to oversee an improvement in the club’s fortunes away from home. A draw in Barcelona and wins over Sevilla and Valencia have shown that they are capable, but against the so-called lesser sides they have been impotent.

There is certainly confidence in the camp. Emilio Nsue remarked to the media: “We can do damage [at the Vicente Calderon].  They are a strong team, and difficult to play against, and they are a rival that can often be a mystery, but we must trust ourselves because we know we can beat them.”

Bristling with confidence, Mallorca could strike a big blow in the race for a top five finish on Monday.


TEAM NEWS

Atletico

Sergio Aguero and Mario Suarez fail to make the cut due to injuries, but Tiago returns after a three game absence because of hamstring complaints.

Mallorca


Akihiro Ienaga is called into the squad, but Ivan Ramis is left out as a precautionary measure. Marti is sidelined with an injury.


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Jan 6, 2013 Mallorca 1 - Atletico Madrid 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Mar 18, 2012 Mallorca 2 - Atletico Madrid 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Oct 23, 2011 Atletico Madrid 1 - Mallorca 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ May 21, 2011 Mallorca 3 - Atletico Madrid 4
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Jan 17, 2011 Atletico Madrid 3 - Mallorca 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1David de GeaGoalkeeper
20Juan ValeraDefender
2Diego Godín LealDefender
30Tomas UjfalusiDefender
6Antonio LópezDefender
12Paulo AssunçaoMidfielder
5TiagoMidfielder
-ElíasMidfielder
-Fran MéridaMidfielder
21ReyesStriker
-Diego Forlan CorazoStriker
27JoelGoalkeeper
8Raúl GarcíaMidfielder
19KokeMidfielder
24Diego CostaStriker
6Filipe LuisDefender
15Álvaro DomínguezDefender
20JuanfranMidfielder
13Dudú AouateGoalkeeper
23KevinDefender
3RubénDefender
16NunesDefender
-Pablo CendrósDefender
3Joao de Albuquerque BrunoMidfielder
20Jonathan De GuzmánMidfielder
7Michael PereiraMidfielder
18Ví­ctorStriker
8Emilio Nsue LópezMidfielder
15Pierre Achile WebóStriker
13Germán Darí­o LuxGoalkeeper
17AyozeDefender
-Martí CrespíDefender
-Sergio TejeraMidfielder
9Fernando CavenaghiStriker
2Edson RatinhoDefender
11Chory CastroMidfielder
Probable Lineups
David de Gea 1
Juan Valera 20
Diego Godín Leal 2
Tomas Ujfalusi 30
Antonio López 6
Paulo Assunçao 12
Tiago 5
Elías 0
Fran Mérida 0
Reyes 21
Diego Forlan Corazo 0
Dudú Aouate 13
Kevin 23
Rubén 3
Nunes 16
Pablo Cendrós 0
Joao de Albuquerque Bruno 3
Jonathan De Guzmán 20
Michael Pereira 7
Ví­ctor 18
Emilio Nsue López 8
Pierre Achile Webó 15
Prediction
Atletico Madrid may have strengthened their side, but they will take time to gel and could be caught focussing on Thursday’s repeat encounter against Real Madrid. Mallorca’s away record is poor, but they have claimed some impressive points on their travels this season and perhaps should be fancied to upset the odds once again in the capital.

Think you know the score? Visit William Hill to bet on this match now.
Editor's Prediction
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3