Atletico and Please Smile, Banega!!

By: Cesar | January 12th, 2008

This weekend it’s jornada 19, the unofficial halfway point of the season and an away trip to the Vicente Calderon for a match against Atletico Madrid.

Los Colchoneros are riding a wave of good football, climbing to the exalted position of 4th in La Liga with 34 points, 10 behind leaders and bitter rivals Real Madrid and 7 in front of us.

I’ve always liked Atletico. They’ve had a tough time being in the same city as Madrid and as Wikipedia says:

‘Real Madrid and Atletico are clubs with contrasting identities and very different fates – a divide similar to Manchester’s, but far more political. Historically, Real Madrid have long been seen as the establishment club; as the puppets of General Franco, led by hardline conservative Santiago Bernabeu, aided by the government and fearful (or bent) referees. On the other side, Atletico’s fan base was always characterized by a sentimiento de rebeldia (a sense of rebellion).

Certainly, Franco sought to make political capital out of Real Madrid’s European Cup successes at a time when Spain was internationally isolated – “Real Madrid are the best embassy we ever had,” said one minister – but branding them the regime’s team is harsh. Nonetheless, such perceptions have had an important impact on the city’s footballing identities, tapping into the collective consciousness.

The Bernabeu is majestic alongside banks and businesses on the classy Castellana, while the Calderon can be found beside a brewery. Real Madrid draw greater support certainly because of the number of its trophies, while Atletico gain the majority of its friends from the passionate working-class south of the city.’

When youth product Fernando Torres left for the English countryside and Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool at the beginning of the season, many predicted that Atletico would regress. But they’ve plugged Torres’s hole just fine, bringing in Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan from Villarreal, Argentine phenom Sergio Agüero (who is as talented as country mate Lionel Messi), winger Simão Sabrosa (who flirted with us last year) and talented midfielder Raul Garcia, who also batted his eyelashes at Juan Soler.

Talented team and this should be a tough match. It’s a good test of where we are. Atletico are where we want to be, in a Champions League spot. Can we get the three points and move closer to them? Can David Villa score a goal? Can Ever Banega crack a smile?

I’ll be watching the match with regular blog reader and commentator -a, who writes the very good and very well-done Atletico de Madrid – The Love that Hurts blog at Nevada Smith’s.

So, what does she think about Valencia?

Let’s cut to the chase: Los Che are having a sh*tty campaign this season. Poor form, no Champions League, sacking of a coach mid-season, black-listed players, nightclub fracas, goal droughts, even a sex tape. You name it; they’ve had to deal with it. Honestly, I can’t see them competing for a European spot this season, unless things change dramatically. Yes, Valencia have been that dreadful.

That said, I don’t underestimate them: they’re coming to el Vicente Calderón in hopes of ending their rotten streak of 6 winless games.

I’ll be watching the game with Cesar (a Valencia supporter and blogger) at Nevada Smith’s. I’ll try to be at my best behaviour.

Hmm …

In other news, recent signing and adult film star Ever Banega was included in the squad list, so there’s a chance we’ll see him make his debut.

The 19-year-old told the assembled media at his unveiling Friday, “I want to thank Valencia CF for giving me the opportunity to be here. I’m here to win and to give my best. I’m very keen to play, but I know that it’s not up to me. I’ll train as best I can, and at a certain point I’ll be available to the coach. I’ll try to do that as quickly as possible.”

He sighed deeply, stared at the assembled media for 45 minutes without a sound being made (see photo above), wiped a tear from his eye and continued.

“I’ve been made very welcome so far and this city is great. I’m delighted to be here at this club with these players. They’ve welcomed me, which is very nice. I repeat – I’m happy.” He repeated he was happy 30 more times before he left the podium.

I dunno. Maybe I read body language more than others. But does this young lad fit the cliche ‘deer in headlights’ better than most? He looks scared. He looks severely unhappy in every picture I see of him.
Honestly, does he know how to smile?

Again, I may be wrong. I hope I am. There’s so much pressure on someone so young so fast. And it’s not like it’s been the easiest of times, what with news of his personal webcam video spread around the football world. I hope he can handle the expectations.

In other fun news, in a statement released yesterday, David Albelda’s legal representatives revealed that the player was sent a fax by his former bosses at Valencia informing him that, if he wants to leave the club before the end of the season, he must pay the €60 million release clause included in his contract.

Describing the club’s stance as “surprising and extravagant,” Albelda’s lawyers went on to state that: “the way things are developing there is more and more evidence with each day that goes by of bullying, which makes us consider the possibility of taking out a private prosecution against the man ultimately responsible for everything that is occurring, (Valencia president), Juan Soler.”

What fun! More drama!

Albelda is supposedly in talks with Atletico Madrid. I really do wish him well. The way this is going is absolutely pathetic.

In transfer news, we’re after old midfielder and current Liverpool player Mohamed Sissoko of Mali.
Why?

Fortunately, Sisi favors a move to Claudo Ranieri’s Juventus, so he’ll save us from his wayward passes.
In that instance, coach Ronald Koeman is interested in Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari.

Don’t we need defenders?? Anyone? ANYONE?

Anyways …