FCBARCELONA.CAT

Skip menu

Main menu

Content menu


Top of page

Content

Link to related content

Football

20.05.2007 11:00

Atlético Madrid, irregular at the Calderón

www.fcbarcelona.cat


FC Barcelona face sixth placed Atlético Madrid this Sunday. A difficult rival, indeed, but also one that has been performing somewhat irregularly in home matches.


Atlético are sixth in the league with 54 points, having won 15, drawn 9 and lost 10, scoring 40 goals and conceding 29. Their away form has been stunning, with just three defeats and six draws, and it has been their home form that has been letting them down. It is these performances at the Vicente Calderón that the ‘mattress makers’ need to sort out if they are to return to European football for the first time in eight seasons.

Recovered players

aguero.jpgTwo of the red and whites’ most important players have returned from injury over the last fortnight, Maxi Rodríguez and Martin Petrov. Both the Argentinian and Bulgarian player tore cruciate ligaments in October and have missed a good part of the season. But both have now been declared fully fit and are likely to feature in Aguirre’s plans this weekend.

Fabiano Eller has been one of the biggest stars of the second half of Atlético Madrid’s season. The 29 year old centre back signed from Internacional of Porto Alegre in Brazil during the winter transfer endow, and actually played against Barça in the FIFA Clubs World Cup in Japan.

Playing the system

maniche.jpgJavier Aguirre is the kind of manager with a system and who likes to stick to it. His Atlético likes to use the wings and get balls to the main attacking reference, Fernando Torres, who leads his side’s scoring with 12 goals this season. The side also has a notoriously solid back four that typically plays with two pivotal midfielders just in front.

Heading for Europe?

Atlético Madrid have spent a lot of money on building up the squad this season, President Enrique Cerezo is desperate for his club to get back into European competition, and has been willing to spend big to achieve the all-important target.
Atlético Madrid, irregular at the Calderón
Tricky opposition
Atlético Madrid and Barça have met 69 times in league games in Madrid, and the home side has won on 34 occasions, Barça 17, and there have been 18 draws. Since Rijkaard has been manager, FC Barcelona have drawn twice at the Vicente Calderón and lost once.


Top of page

Back to top

Related content

Football News


Back to top
Top of page