Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid match preview
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will lock horns in the second leg of their Copa de Rey clash tonight. The first leg ended with a 3-1 home defeat for Los Rojiblancos, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AS-Real-c38478 Madrid have the commanding seat in El Derbi madrileno
(the Madrid Derby). Diego Forlan had given Atletico the lead at Santiago Bernabeu but Mourinho’s men replied in style. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Ramos-c33096, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil all scored to register a comeback victory. Ozil’s late goal at Bernabeu has put Mourinho firmly
in the driving seat.
Quique Sánchez Flores will have to spend some time on his drawing board if he is to outsmart Jose Mourinho in the second leg. While playing at Vicente Calderón Stadium will be a huge confidence boost, history is not on Atletico’s
side. The Red and Whites have failed to defeat Real Madrid ever since Rojiblancos returned to the Spanish top flight. Interestingly, Real Madrid have a better record at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderón then they have at their own hunting ground – Los Merengues have won seven
out of eight league games played.
Under normal conditions, Jose Mourinho would have been the hands-down favourite to pocket the victory. However, Real Madrid have started the New Year in less than ideal fashion, dropping points against league lagers Almeria while
Levante inflicted a 2-0 Spanish Cup defeat on the Galacticos. Real Madrid must return to winning ways at the earliest to regain the lost momentum. With critical Champions League fixtures coming up and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 racing away with the league title, it’s the
least Mourinho’s men can do.
Team News
Atletico Madrid
El Atleti will have to do without the services of talismanic Argentine, Sergio Aguero. The forward suffered from a damaged thigh muscle during the first leg defeat to Real, and is set to miss a few more days of action.
Sanchez Flores will also miss the influence of young Mario Suarez for this clash. The rest of the squad is fit and available for selection.
Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho will have a very strong squad to choose from as a host of players have returned from long term injuries. Both Ricardo Kaka and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670 and Gonzalo Higuain continue
to fill up the treatment tables at Santiago Bernabeu.
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629
Arguably the most in form forward on the planet, Ronaldo will look to add further to his astonishing goals tally. The forward has scored a stupendous 31 goals in just 29 appearances this season. Should CR7 manage to hit the stride,
Real will take the victory with consummate ease.
Diego Forlan
The World Cup Golden Ball winner is yet to reproduce last year’s excellent form. In a squad struggling for consistency, Forlan has scored a respectable seven goals. The game will present Forlan with ample goal-scoring opportunities
to find the score sheet. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Casillas-c16815 and his defence will have to marshal the classy forward at all costs.
Prediction
With Real Madrid defending a two-goal lead, it’s an uphill task for Quique Sánchez Flores. The home side will have to score at least twice and not let Galacticos score in order to progress. Jose Mourinho is the ultimate cup manager
and will never let that happen. The final score line – owing all to Real’s superior attack – will read 1-2 in favour of the visitors.
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