Real face a ‘wounded animal’ in eagerly awaited derby

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MADRID: Spain’s capital Madrid has been in the headlines this week with the controversy over whether Atletico’s Champions League match against Liverpool next Wednesday would be played at their Vicente Calderon stadium.
The venue takes centre stage today when Atletico host Real Madrid in an eagerly-anticipated derby match. Atletico have had a fortnight to lick their wounds after their 6-1 Nou Camp drubbing by Barcelona €” when they were 5-0 down after just 18 minutes €” and hope to hit back in the best possible way with victory over their neighbours.
“We will be facing a wounded animal,” acknowledged Real defender Michel Salgado.
The build-up to the fixture has been overshadowed by UEFA threatening to switch Atletico’s European game against Liverpool to a different venue as punishment for apparent racist remarks and heavy-handed police in their last Champions League home match against Marseille. UEFA overturned the decision leaving Atletico to focus on their problems on the pitch and on the evidence of the Barcelona defeat there are some things still to iron out.
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre shouldered the blame for the Barca humiliation but fullback Antonio Lopez urged his team-mates to stop playing like schoolboys.
“We were asleep at the start. Our heads were down and there was no talking on the pitch. We played like schoolboys,” explained Lopez.
A reaction is expected against Real as Atletico, who have slipped to seventh after a strong start, aim to show they are ready for Liverpool and give their fans something to cheer by toppling rivals Real.
“After getting beaten 6-1 by Barca what better way is there to get that result out of their system than beating us?” asked Real captain Iker Casillas. Champions Real drew 2-2 with Espanyol in their last league outing and lie fifth in the standings, three points off the lead.
After their worst league start for 35 years Barcelona have recovered well to climb to fourth, level on points with Real, and travel to Athletic Bilbao tomorrow in high spirits after the Atletico mauling.
“Atletico are a Champions League side that are playing well and the result shows we are very serious title contenders this season,” explained Barca defender Gerard Pique.
The goals have been flowing for Pep Guardiola’s side and they are the league’s joint top-scorers along with Real with both sides averaging an impressive three goals a game.
It is unusual, and somewhat refreshing, not to see Barca or Real €” who were top for most of last season €” at the summit with Valencia and Villarreal the early pacesetters.
Both teams have collected 16 points from a possible 18 with Valencia top courtesy of their superior goal difference.