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Spain: Primera Liga Midweek Preview [Wed Sep 21st, 2005]
It's only Matchday 4 this midweek, but already La Liga is in intriguing foment with some big reputations on the line.
Barcelona host an in-form Valencia, in what is certainly the biggest clash this week, but Bilbao’s trip to Real Madrid could prove to be just as thrilling, if previous encounters are anything to go by.
Real Madrid and Barcelona both need a win to get their campaign back on track after faltering over the weekend. However, in Bilbao and Valencia respectively, they have the toughest opponents yet this season, at least on paper.
While it is difficult to ever bet against either of them, they will have to unfold some of their better football to get through this one, and get over some of the early season blues, which could even see Real lose their coach.
It remains to be seen whether the coaches succumb to outside pressure: whether Luxemburgo decides in favour of wing play, and if Rijkaard reverts to the eleven that won him the League last season.
While the big two try to discover their rhythm, strong starters and early leaders Deportivo La Coruna host an already weary-looking Betis, who haven’t dealt well with European workload. With no European commitments, Deportivo could be the surprise package this season, where packed schedules are certain to become a factor later on.
Strong starters Celta Vigo are just a point behind the leaders after returning to top-flight football, and travel to El Madrigal to face Villarreal, in what promises to be another cracker. From the UEFA Champions League to being relegated, you never quite know what to expect from Celta!
Pellegrini’s ‘Yellow Submarines’, on the other hand, have managed just two points and sit second from bottom, and a home win is what they need to get their confidence back. But Celta have already humbled Real Madrid, and are sure to provide stiff resistance to Riquelme and company.
Real’s neighbours Getafe, surprise leaders along with Deportivo, host a Mallorca outfit that ran riot against Real Sociedad over the weekend, hammering the Basques 5-2. Getafe produced some stunning football over the weekend, to come from behind and beat Alaves 4-3. However, coach Schuster will definitely want to be wary of last season, when Levante threw away a very positive start and ended up relegated.
Real’s other neighbours Atletico Madrid, travel to San Sebastian, and Carlos Bianchi will look to utilize the momentum from the big win against Barcelona, against a sluggish looking Real Sociedad.
Espanyol and Osasuna, like Celta, have won two out of three, and are also on the road this week, to face slow starters Racing Santander and Zaragoza, respectively. A win here, and they could even be leaders going into the weekend!
To round up the action, Sevilla and Malaga host newly promoted Cadiz and Alaves, respectively, and with due respect to the new boys, the hosts should be looking to get points in the bag.
Majority of the attention will, however, be on the matches involving the big two, as Rijkaard and Luxemburgo look to get into the groove.
With Real’s poor start, and the consequent pressure on the coach for not using the flanks, it was expected that Barcelona would pull away with the clinical efficiency of the previous campaign. But rather surprisingly, the Catalans have also had a sluggish start, and faltered against Atletico Madrid, after some sloppy defending from the ever-reliable Oleguer saw Barcelona lose their lead, and the match.
Madrid will hope that calls for a rematch following some sloppy officiating does not take away from their preparations, and will want to keep in mind that the Basques have always done well against them.
Meanwhile against a rejuvenated Valencia, Barcelona will look to gain confidence from Rijkaard’s agreeing to a two year extension, to take his contract to 2009. Valencia’s Patrick Kluivert will, however, miss out on a reunion with his friends at the Camp Nou through tendonitis in the right knee. However, Aimar, whom coach Quique Flores has brought back to life, is expected to play, although with a mask to protect his face after Saturday’s injury.
It is too early, but neither the Catalans nor the Merengues will want to let Deportivo get too far ahead!
Abhishek Thakur
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