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I Want Athletic Bilbao To Beat Real Madrid - Aitor Karanka
Jan 16, 2010 2:58:00 PM
The Basque is also confident that last season's controversy involving Iker Casillas and Fran Yeste will be consigned to memory...
| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £37.00 | Real Madrid £26.25 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £24.00 | Draw £34.00 | Real Madrid £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £35.00 | Real Madrid £26.25 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Real Sociedad £25.00 | Draw £35.00 | Real Madrid £26.30 |
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The political situation in Spain and the proud history of both clubs means that there is an extra dimension to the game's atmosphere, particularly in 'El Catedral'. Karanka believes that the stadium's ambience is nothing to fear, but instead it is something for the players to thrive off.
"In my day, players like [Luis] Figo, [Steve] McManaman and [Zinedine] Zidane liked to play there. The atmosphere is very noticeable but it's not hostile," he is quoted as saying by AS.
One player who may not receive a warm welcome is Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas. The Spanish international went down clutching his face after being shoved in the chest by Fran Yeste in last year's meeting between the sides, but Karanka affirmed that the episode is likely to have been put behind the protagonists.
"Iker Casillas is a phenomenon. I've known him since he was 16 years old and I'm sure that Yeste, Iker and the fans will all be above what happened. I'm sure that nothing out of the ordinary will happen."
When he was asked to offer his opinion on tonight's result, the former Colorado Rapids man came down on the side of the Basques.
"I want Athletic to win. I arrived at Lezama at 15-years-old and I spent 13 seasons there. If I had to make a prediction, I would go for 2-1 in favour of Athletic."
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