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La Liga Preview: Recreativo Huelva - Atletico Madrid
Abel Resino will take charge of his first game as Atletico Madrid coach on Sunday as his side travel to take on a resurgent Recreativo Huelva. The hosts are undefeated so far in 2009 whilst Atletico are yet to win a game in the new year…
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £36.00 | Draw £34.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £37.50 | Draw £34.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £36.00 | Draw £33.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £37.50 | Draw £34.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Racing £39.50 | Draw £35.00 | Atl. Madrid £20.30 |
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Feb 6, 2009 2:28:09 PM
Kick Off: Sunday 8 February, 17.00 CET, Nuevo Colombino, Huelva
New Year, New Fortunes
Whilst Atletico’s fortunes in 2009 have been well documented lately, Recreativo have somewhat sneaked under the radar, but in early February, they find themselves unbeaten so far in the new year. Following their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Deportivo La Coruna just before Christmas, Recre have fought hard to pick up as many points as possible, and they have done so successfully, dragging themselves out of the relegation zone and up into 15th in the table.
Indeed, Lucas Alcarez’s side are currently seven points clear of the bottom three and it is thanks mainly to the superb spirit that the team has shown in the previous month, coupled with the fact that they have beaten teams around them such as Numancia, Real Betis and Sporting Gijon. There is no doubt that those results could be the most significant for Recre this season and even their 1-1 draw against Espanyol last weekend could be key.
That point was an illustration of the work ethic of this team, who did not give up, despite trailing going into the final few moments of the match, and got their reward when Marco Ruben scored from the penalty spot. Against Atletico this weekend they will want to forget about the clash earlier in the season, which resulted in them getting hammered 4-0 in the Spanish capital, and they should give Resino a good test in his first game in charge.
New Coach, New Fortunes?
In fact, whilst this might not be the toughest game on paper for Atletico, it is probably not one that Resino would have wanted for his first match as coach, especially bearing in mind the poor away form his side have. This season they have picked up just three victories on the road, and coupled with their awful start to his year, there is no doubt that this visit to the Nuevo Colombino will be tricky.
The new coach, who has moved from Castellon in Segunda to take the helms at Atleti, has not had much time to work with his players this week, but some of his tactical approaches have been divulged by the players. One in particular which Atletico will have to get spot on if they are to succeed, is playing a high defensive line, something Tomas Ujfalusi admitted they had been working on in training.
In a rare turn of events though, the attack has become nearly as much of a worry as the defence, with the side from the capital scoring just six times in the New Year. The fact that a few of those goals have come from set pieces is an indication of just how unsettled and unsure of itself this team is right now, and Resino looks to have a lot of work on his hands to turn things around. The former goalkeeper will have to get the team playing as a unit first and foremost, and then he will have to restore some confidence to the side, which would undoubtedly be made easier by a win in Huelva this Sunday.
FORM GUIDE
Recreativo Huelva
Feb 1 Espanyol 1-1 Recreativo Huelva (La Liga)
Jan 25 Recreativo Huelva 1-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 18 Recreativo Huelva 2-0 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)
Jan 11 Racing Santander 1-1 Recreativo Huelva (La Liga)
Jan 4 Recreativo Huelva 3-1 Numancia (La Liga)
Atletico Madrid
Feb 1 Atletico Madrid 1-2 Valladolid (La Liga)
Jan 25 Malaga 1-1 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Jan 18 Almeria 1-1 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Jan 14 Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Atletico Madrid 2-3 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Recreativo Huelva
Recre will be without Jesus Vasquez for this clash, as he is not yet recovered from an injury that has kept him out for the last few weeks.
They will also be missing defender Beto, but the good news is that goalkeeper Asier Riesgo looks to have shaken off the flu, and both Adrian Colunga and Aitor should be fit to start.
Probable Line-Up (4-3-2-1): Riesgo – Nef, Morris, Arzo, Casado – Fuego, Barbar, Aitor – Camunas, Sisi - Colunga
Atletico Madrid
Worryingly for Abel Resino he could be without both Simao and Maxi Rodriguez for his first game in charge, due to injuries.
The Portuguese winger looks the more likely of the two play, but he still a serious doubt, whilst the only good news is Tomas Ujfalusi returns after suspension.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Leo Franco – Perea, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Lopez – Sinama-Pongolle, Maniche, Assuncao, Banega – Aguero, Forlan
PLAYER TO WATCH
Recreativo Huelva
Javier Camunas has been one of the most impressive players for Recreativo this season and his coach will be hoping he can trouble the Atletico back line on Sunday. With his pace and running he is always a danger and if the away side do try to play their high back line then it will be up to Camunas and Sisi to break it and thread Colunga through on goal.
Atletico Madrid
There is no doubting the quality of a lot of the players in the Atletico Madrid side but one man who needs to step up to the plate is Ever Banega, who should start with the amount of injuries in midfield. The Argentine has really failed to impress so far in his loan spell from Valencia but if he is given another chance here he will have to take it and his performance could be key for the team.
PREDICTION
There is no doubt that Atletico need to win this match more than Recre do, but away from home the Champions League outfit have struggled this season. However, with a new coach at the helm the team should be determined to prove their worth and they should pick up their first win of the New Year, finally.
Recreativo Huelva 1-2 Atletico Madrid
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
New Year, New Fortunes
Whilst Atletico’s fortunes in 2009 have been well documented lately, Recreativo have somewhat sneaked under the radar, but in early February, they find themselves unbeaten so far in the new year. Following their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Deportivo La Coruna just before Christmas, Recre have fought hard to pick up as many points as possible, and they have done so successfully, dragging themselves out of the relegation zone and up into 15th in the table.
Indeed, Lucas Alcarez’s side are currently seven points clear of the bottom three and it is thanks mainly to the superb spirit that the team has shown in the previous month, coupled with the fact that they have beaten teams around them such as Numancia, Real Betis and Sporting Gijon. There is no doubt that those results could be the most significant for Recre this season and even their 1-1 draw against Espanyol last weekend could be key.
That point was an illustration of the work ethic of this team, who did not give up, despite trailing going into the final few moments of the match, and got their reward when Marco Ruben scored from the penalty spot. Against Atletico this weekend they will want to forget about the clash earlier in the season, which resulted in them getting hammered 4-0 in the Spanish capital, and they should give Resino a good test in his first game in charge.
New Coach, New Fortunes?
In fact, whilst this might not be the toughest game on paper for Atletico, it is probably not one that Resino would have wanted for his first match as coach, especially bearing in mind the poor away form his side have. This season they have picked up just three victories on the road, and coupled with their awful start to his year, there is no doubt that this visit to the Nuevo Colombino will be tricky.
The new coach, who has moved from Castellon in Segunda to take the helms at Atleti, has not had much time to work with his players this week, but some of his tactical approaches have been divulged by the players. One in particular which Atletico will have to get spot on if they are to succeed, is playing a high defensive line, something Tomas Ujfalusi admitted they had been working on in training.
In a rare turn of events though, the attack has become nearly as much of a worry as the defence, with the side from the capital scoring just six times in the New Year. The fact that a few of those goals have come from set pieces is an indication of just how unsettled and unsure of itself this team is right now, and Resino looks to have a lot of work on his hands to turn things around. The former goalkeeper will have to get the team playing as a unit first and foremost, and then he will have to restore some confidence to the side, which would undoubtedly be made easier by a win in Huelva this Sunday.
FORM GUIDE
Recreativo Huelva
Feb 1 Espanyol 1-1 Recreativo Huelva (La Liga)
Jan 25 Recreativo Huelva 1-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Jan 18 Recreativo Huelva 2-0 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)
Jan 11 Racing Santander 1-1 Recreativo Huelva (La Liga)
Jan 4 Recreativo Huelva 3-1 Numancia (La Liga)
Atletico Madrid
Feb 1 Atletico Madrid 1-2 Valladolid (La Liga)
Jan 25 Malaga 1-1 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Jan 18 Almeria 1-1 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Jan 14 Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Copa Del Rey)
Jan 11 Atletico Madrid 2-3 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Recreativo Huelva
Recre will be without Jesus Vasquez for this clash, as he is not yet recovered from an injury that has kept him out for the last few weeks.
They will also be missing defender Beto, but the good news is that goalkeeper Asier Riesgo looks to have shaken off the flu, and both Adrian Colunga and Aitor should be fit to start.
Probable Line-Up (4-3-2-1): Riesgo – Nef, Morris, Arzo, Casado – Fuego, Barbar, Aitor – Camunas, Sisi - Colunga
Atletico Madrid
Worryingly for Abel Resino he could be without both Simao and Maxi Rodriguez for his first game in charge, due to injuries.
The Portuguese winger looks the more likely of the two play, but he still a serious doubt, whilst the only good news is Tomas Ujfalusi returns after suspension.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Leo Franco – Perea, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Lopez – Sinama-Pongolle, Maniche, Assuncao, Banega – Aguero, Forlan
PLAYER TO WATCH
Recreativo Huelva
Javier Camunas has been one of the most impressive players for Recreativo this season and his coach will be hoping he can trouble the Atletico back line on Sunday. With his pace and running he is always a danger and if the away side do try to play their high back line then it will be up to Camunas and Sisi to break it and thread Colunga through on goal.
Atletico Madrid
There is no doubting the quality of a lot of the players in the Atletico Madrid side but one man who needs to step up to the plate is Ever Banega, who should start with the amount of injuries in midfield. The Argentine has really failed to impress so far in his loan spell from Valencia but if he is given another chance here he will have to take it and his performance could be key for the team.
PREDICTION
There is no doubt that Atletico need to win this match more than Recre do, but away from home the Champions League outfit have struggled this season. However, with a new coach at the helm the team should be determined to prove their worth and they should pick up their first win of the New Year, finally.
Recreativo Huelva 1-2 Atletico Madrid
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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