Spanish Inquisition: Athletic Bilbao Clash Will Test Atletico Madrid's La Liga Credentials
Goal.com's Paul Macdonald asks if Atleti can stamp their early-season pedigree with a daunting trip to San Mames...

La Liga, you could say, begins in earnest this weekend.

Teams such as Sevilla, Valencia and Atletico Madrid have been allowed two weeks to reflect on opening-day wins as a result of the international break, and the Spanish press have, somewhat unrealistically, been inquisitive as to how the players feel their entire season will unfold based on a single ninety minutes.

The inevitable “Can you compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona?” subject that has been posed has received an almost widespread display of diplomatic responses. The players themselves know that a single victory does not offer any kind of indication of whether cheers or tears will be the order of the day come May.

After all, Valencia had won nine and drawn one in their first ten matches in 2008/09, and their campaign disintegrated from November onwards. And perhaps most significantly in terms of those sides who can perhaps realistically cling to the coat-tails of the big two this time around, Atletico Madrid began last season with one league win in ten, but still enjoyed a top-half finish, a Copa del Rey final, and Europa League glory.

The point being, it’s almost impossible to lay out your predictions for the season at this stage. That aside, Quique Sanchez Flores’ silky Atletico outfit have given their supporters cause for optimism so far, with their 4-0 thumping of Sporting Gijon and humbling of European Champions Inter in the UEFA Super Cup.

They seem equipped in all departments to enjoy a fruitful season; Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan were retained, and defensive reinforcements Diego Godin and Filipe Luis are shrewd, considered purchases. In goal too, they are strong, with David de Gea well on his way to becoming one of Europe’s safest shot-stoppers.

Athletic Bilbao are up next, and given neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona managed to leave San Mames with maximum points last season, it is an indication of the challenge facing los Colchoneros.

After fifteen years of barrenness and disappointment, the Vicente Calderon faithful are cautious, intrigued by the team Quique has built, but still pondering the prospect of another false dawn. They want to believe, and leaving the Basque country with three points will go some way to legitimising the opinions from some quarters that this Atletico team can be a genuine alternative to the Blanco-Blaugrana duopoly.

Athletic Bilbao however, under Joaquin Caparros, are a solid, uncompromising outfit with an extraordinarily dedicated following, but are also interspersed with glimpses of genuine quality that can upset the opposition.

Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente are both World Cup winners, of course, an accolade that no Atletico Madrid charge can boast of, and the latter will be a huge test of the new-look back line of Ujfalusi, Dominguez, Godin and Filipe Luis (with Antonio Lopez deputising should the Brazilian fail to be passed fit, and Perea filling in on the right if Ujfalasi does not recover from a tendon complaint).

The 25-year-old Llorente has an aerial presence, but is also neat on the ground, and with the guile of Martinez supporting from deep, will need constant attention. And lest we forget Spain's future - the imcomparable Iker Muniain, who at just 17 has talent that knows no bounds.

Los Leones’ home form is their staple, losing just four times last season in their own backyard compared to almost three times that amount on the road, and the intimidating, vociferous atmosphere means this will prove to be a more than sufficient test for Sanchez Flores’ ambitious outfit.

Javi Martinez knows the complexity of the challenge; he called for a ‘dogged’ performance, and his description of what is required to leave with a victory is precisely correct. Even Barcelona come to San Mames to battle for their dues – get in, scrap for everything, and get out.

Unfortunately for Atletico, this fixture represents the type of uncomfortable, problematical examination in which they have previously been masters of their own downfall. Whether it be an inappropriate mindset, or a lack of belief in their own capability to win, tricky away matches have previously proven a graveyard – a win in Bilbao could set the standard for the entire campaign.

The rhetoric emanating from the club is one of confidence, but of insistence that Champions League qualification, courtesy of a top-four finish, is imperative. But by stringing a run of results together, Atletico Madrid could frighten Messrs Guardiola and Mourinho – and would that be such a bad thing?

From: Goal.com

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Fernando Llorente Calls On Athletic Bilbao To Pile Pressure On Atletico Madrid
Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente is hoping to continue their good start to the season by defeating Atletico Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has echoed the words of team-mate Javi Martinez by demanding his side produce a pressure cooker environment when Atletico Madrid visit San Mames on Saturday.

Llorente insists it will not be easy to overcome los Colchoneros, who he believes are serious contenders for UEFA Champions League football this term but he said that

"We're going to make a lot of pressure and try to score early. Atletico have proved that they are capable of being serious and it seems that this year will be a team that can get into the Champions League," he is quoted as saying by Marca before identifying European football as an objective for los Leones this season.

"It will not be easy because there are great teams competing for Europe but we must be optimistic. We started well and should continue on this path of victory."

The 25-year-old also noted that he intends to improve upon the 14 Primera Liga goals he has scored in the previous two seasons.

From: Goal.com

Ujfalusi, Fran Mérida, S. Asenjo & Borja are injured, as Juanito, Pulido & Koke are scratched.

On the other hand Tiago could give his debut, as Valera should be the replacement for Valera.

Hihi or maybe Ujfalusi

Oh hehe, I'm absolutely excited about Valera, as I only have one thought....how many goals will Valera score tomorrow.

Fabi schrieb:



Well, how many goals is Valera supposed to score?

I hope that most of our guys will be "on fire" tomorrow night - especially "the usual suspects".

Probably the defense should have an extra eye on Llorente...

lol

I think if we eliminate Llorente by marking him, it will be a much easier game for us. Speedy counters will be essential.

With all respect ... I can not stand this Llorente guy ...

IMO he is nothing special ... just tall and able to make header1 But he has no other qualities.

Don't get it why he is a national player!

Disagree. Hes class and I hope he will not prove that and that todays game will prove husky right. I would love to win sooooooooo much tonight!

urbanator schrieb:



So do I!!!


As for Llorente: After scoring against Argentina on Tuesday, he´s probably full of self-confidence for tonight´s game...

Lani wrote:


Don't worry..Aguero will be confident too.

Tough match for us against a team who is pretty strong at home. I expect a 2-1 result in favour of us.

Ram schrieb:


I would take this result at any moment.
Besides Agüero I would like to see Forlán on the score sheet, too...

The key could be that Forlán is totally fit, after he had no long journey.

Only one change to the Sporting game: Domínguez for the injured Ujfalusi, as Perea will be the right back. I'm anxious to see our defensive pair against Llorente.

Furthermore we have to control Javi Martínez, hopefully Assuncao will take this duty.

At least Forlán is already on the score sheet...

Forlán dedicated the 0-1 goal to Uruguayan footballer Diego Rodríguez who died in a car accident this week.

Puh what power football from Athletic, but our defence has been very well so far. Only once Godín cleared the ball in the middle, dangerous sitaution.

We're very efficient and this is the key to win at San Mamés. Hopefully we can score on a counter attack, as Athletic will push at the second half, too.