Numancia set sights on Real Madrid upset
MADRID, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Promoted Numancia have set their sightson another massive Primera Liga upset when they travel to the Bernabeuon Sunday to take on champions Real Madrid.
Numancia humbled Barcelona 1-0 at home in the opening roundof league matches and coach Sergio Kresic believes his sidehave every reason to believe they can pull off another shockresult.
"What the theory says and what happens in reality can bedifferent for any number of reasons," Croatian Kresic said.
"The fans can have an effect, the pitch and of course theplayers, but just like the other day when we had chances(against Barca), we'll also have them on Sunday and we have tomake the most of them."
Bernd Schuster's Real Madrid started the defence of theirback-to-back league titles with a 2-1 defeat away to DeportivoCoruna.
Real's new signing Rafael van der Vaart will make hisleague debut after missing the Depor game through suspension,while Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro could return after injury.
Barca return to home turf looking for their first pointsand face a tough task against Racing Santander on Saturday.
The defeat for Pep Guardiola's side at Numancia did littleto convince Barca fans he will able to improve on FrankRijkaard's disappointing season.
Early pace-setters Atletico Madrid visit Valladolid onSaturday and are trying to keep their feet on the ground.
Qualification for the Champions League group stage with a4-0 demolition of Schalke 04 was swiftly followed by a 4-0hammering of Malaga at the Calderon on the opening day of theseason.
"It's understandable the fans have high hopes but it isstill early days," cautioned Atletico defender Pablo Ibanez.
Villarreal host Deportivo on Sunday after drawing 1-1 intheir opening game at Osasuna, and will be without suspendeddefender Diego Godin.
New Valencia coach Unai Emery will hope to build on hisside's impressive 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca when hereturns to his former club Almeria, also on Sunday. |
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