Atletico Madrid coach says Diego Forlan can snipe down Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid head coach Quique Sanchez Flores claims that striker Diego Forlan is capable of shooting down La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a hat-trick when the sides square off in a capital derby on Sunday, 7 November.
After a hugely successful campaign at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Uruguay – where he won the Golden Ball award for the best player at the tournament – Forlan has failed to score in any of his last ten games for Atletico.
However, Flores – who won the Primera Division title as a player with Madrid – has tipped the 31-year-old to break his scoring duck and claims that the striker is even capable of scoring three goals against Jose Mourinho's unbeaten side.
'I have no doubt about Forlan'
The coach told reporters that: "I have no doubt about Forlan. If there is any player who can score a hat-trick in any game, and even the game on Sunday, it is Diego Forlan. This is a year where he has been good enough to win the Golden Ball."
Flores also took the opportunity to praise Mourinho, claiming that the Portuguese – who has won several league and European titles with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan – was a 'special' coach.
He said that: "I like Mourinho. I have always said that he has something special. He is the kind of coach that leaves a major mark on his team so that they respond as he wants them to."
UEFA Europa League holders Atletico will go into Sunday's game in ninth place in the La Liga standings, having claimed 14 points from their opening nine games. Madrid, meanwhile, are unbeaten in all competitions and sit at the top of the table with 23 points.
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