Match Preview/Thread: Atletico Madrid - Villarreal
by maddi on Dec 13, 2009 5:17 AM CET
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PrintGet ready for some goals. Villarreal's questionable defense will meet up with Atlético's formidable strike duo of Kun Aguero and former Villarreal-man Diego Forlan, who just seem to score and score and score. There were thoughts midweek that Aguero would be out, but he has recovered at least enough to be on the bench. On the other hand, Atlético's defense is a persistent nightmare for the folks from southern Madrid, and although Villarreal is not getting overwhelming production from its strikeforce, the team is literally finding goals everywhere (thanks Joan!).
Both teams are experiencing a bit of a turn around after abysmal, embarrassing starts to their respective seasons. Villarreal thought things were bad, finding themselves at one point at the very bottom of the table, but the season suddenly looks a lot more promising. They secured passage through the Copa del Rey after a couple of difficult matches, and now have a comparatively unimposing path left in front of them, with the possible matchup in the next round against Atlético. In the Europa League, Villarreal has advanced to the knockout round with one match left to play in the group stage. Atlético, on the other hand, has been sweating for a bit longer, having found its form a couple of weeks after Villarreal began to take that corner. They have won their last two in La Liga, and also saw themselves ass through to the 1/8 Finals of the Copa, but it was too late to save their Champions League dreams. Not only did they bow out of the Champions League, they were holding their breath with the hopes that APOEL could not score one more goal to pull up the shocker at Stamford Bridge, or else they would have been pushing up European daisies.
And so, both teams look at this match as an absolute must-win. They are both miles away from even dreaming of playing in Europe next year, and every point from now on is vital. Villarreal are doing their best to ignore the fact that this is an away match, since those have been like trying to drill for water in the desert. Atlético are doing their best to forget the home 0-3 thump they took midweek against Porto.
Atlético's lineup:
Keepers: Asenjo and De Gea.
Defenders: Valera, Antonio López, Pernía, Juanito, Ujfalusi, Perea, Pablo Ibáñez.
Midfielders: Camacho, Raúl García, Jurado, Maxi Rodríguez, Paulo Assunção, Reyes, Simão.
Strikers: Forlán, Kun Agüero, Sinama-Pongolle
A lot of Villarreal's creativity will be watching the match from distance. In addition to the loss of Ibagaza for the rest of the month, Villarreal are without Robert Pires, who has a muscle injury. There is good news, though. As noted before, we recover Cani, after his red card was rescinded, and we will not be playing without a right back after Angel's red card, as Javi Venta will be ready to go. David Fuster is also recovered enough to be in the 18-man traveling squad.
Keepers: Diego López and Xavi Oliva.
Defenders: Gonzalo, Godin, Marcano, Javi Venta and Capdevila.
Midfielders: Cani, Eguren, Bruno, Marcos Senna, David Fuster, Escudero and Santi Cazorla (celebrating his 25th birthday).
Forwards: Nilmar, Llorente, Jonathan Pereira and Rossi.
Definitely a winnable match for Villarreal, but it is sure to be a nail-biter. Matches between the clubs always seem to involve seven goals and wait to be decided some time after the 80th minute.
The match is on GolTV at 1pm eastern. The best place to watch the match tomorrow is Summer's Restaurant in Arlington with Sidarth and myself, so come out an have a beer and watch the match. There will be a betting pool as to what minute in the match Gonzalo gets a red card (with a bonus if he gets one from the bench!). ENDAVANT VILLARREAL!
Edit - Nick here!! I'm sure the guys are all enjoying a few beers and settling in to watch the game but for anyone who couldn't make it across the Atlantic or Pacific then there will be a commentary kept up here. Kenez has posted the lineup in the comments below. 4-5-1. No real surprises with Rossi up front and Fuster playing behind him! Lets see if we can get a win!
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Villarreal have won only once in Vicente Calderón in eight visits, 5 defeats and two draws. Last season lead 2-0 with goals from Mati and Cani , only for Javi Venta to be sent off and lose 3.2.
Once again the defence picks itself and the only doubt is whether Valverde will once again go with Fuster in midfield or start with Nilmar and Rossi upfront. Given the state of Atletico’s midfield I would prefer to go with the latter option and send out this team.
Diego López.
Javi Venta, Godin, Marcano, and Capdevila.
Cani, Marcos Senna, Bruno and Santi Cazorla
Nilmar and Rossi.
by Kenez on Dec 13, 2009 4:31 PM CET reply actions
Line up now confirmed. As above but Fuster starts in place of Nilmar.
Kun Aguero not in the starting XI for Atletico.
by Kenez on Dec 13, 2009 6:23 PM CET reply actions
Himself and Senna are controlling the middle of the park
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 7:35 PM CET reply actions
34’ Marcano smashes Reyes with a tackle in the box! Great tackle!!
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 7:36 PM CET reply actions
1-0 A.M …Mid /Def gets caught napping..
Villarreal were dominating till then……….
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 7:42 PM CET reply actions
Simao in the 42nd minute, through ball split the defence and Simao finished well.
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 7:50 PM CET reply actions
Cazorla has been quite………
and
Fuster looks like he has been effected by knocks he took….
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 7:51 PM CET reply actions
Goooooooooooooooooool Fuster!!!!1 Header off a Capdevila cross! 1-1
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 8:06 PM CET reply actions
It was exactly what we want from Fuster getting into the box and supporting Rossi.
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 8:11 PM CET reply actions
Crowd are getting on their teams backs. We need to score soon and take advantage!
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 8:14 PM CET reply actions
2nd Half best chance @ 78 Fell to Godin from pass from Rossi,.,,,
Godin Balloned it.
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 8:49 PM CET reply actions
ESCUDERO with his 4th Assist of teh Season,
Gol Llorente . Assist Escudero 1-2 Villarreal
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 8:50 PM CET reply actions
Full time 1-2. Well we pulled it out of the bag. Valverde’s two subs Escudero and Llorente combined for the winner. Another 3 points and we keep climbing!
by Nick on Dec 13, 2009 8:54 PM CET reply actions
First away Victory in liga…………… and with 4-2-3-1
Looks that’s the formation from now on……………………..
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 8:55 PM CET reply actions
Kqql -——————————Always said Escudero plays well as sub/impact player on left wing………..I would have brought him earlier….since Cazorla looked tored by 55"
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 8:56 PM CET reply actions
Posting from summers from the first meeting of our humble penya – we are happy with the result and proudly displaying our signed banner.
We have the best llorente – josebaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
by otf on Dec 13, 2009 9:18 PM CET reply actions
The Best Escudero ………..his pass was great.. – 4th Assist of the seaso
and Fuster is doing well..
Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Villarreal
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/12/13/1685265/player-ratings-atletico-madrid-1-2-villarreal
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 10:11 PM CET reply actions
RECAP -> Atlético 1 – Villarreal 2
Villarreal
4-2-3-1
López
Venta, Godin, Marcano, Capdevila
Senna, Bruno (Eguren 72")
Cani, Fuster, Cazorla (Escudero 63")
Rossi (Llorente 80")
Goals:
1-0 Simao @ 36"
1-1 Fuster @ 48" (Assist Capdevila)
1-2 Llorente @ 90+" (Assist Escudero)
Yellow Cards:
Atlético -> Assuncao 40", Ujfalusi 77"
Villarreal -> None
Red Cards: None
..
by kqql on Dec 13, 2009 10:30 PM CET reply actions
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