|
Euro Preview - 23 Sep 2007
Calderon faithful may have to
wait.
The pressure is on for Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguierre. Two
points out of a possible nine is not the start many had in mind.
It's still early days, but the sight of 100 Million Euros worth of
attacking talent failing to create meaningful chances against Murcia
last week was a sorry sight. Sadly, this season is starting to shape
up like so many others, high expectations only to be followed by
disappointment.
This weekend's match against Racing Santander takes now takes on
added significance. Unfortunately, Racing are not the ideal side to
be facing in these circumstances. Far from it in fact. Traditionally
a hard-working, spoiling side, short on attacking talent, the
unfashionable Basques surprised many last season with their powerful
attacking play. The early signs suggest that new coach Marcelino,
brought in from Recreativo in the summer, has carried that on,
despite the loss of beanpole Serbian striker Nicola Zigic. Mohamed
Tchite and Polish livewire Ebi Smolarek are the players who will now
compete to forge a partnership with the gifted Pedro Munitis. Five
points, and one goal conceded from their opening trio of games is an
impressive haul, when you consider Racing have faced both Barcelona
and Real Zaragoza, and gone toe-to-toe with both.
Atletico will no doubt prove popular, given the vast array of
attacking talent at Aguierre's disposal. The trouble is, expensive
new-boys Reyes, Forlan and Simao are some way from their best right
now. Even the ever-dependable Maxi Rodriguez is looking out-of-sorts
and, with Argentinean 'wonderkid' Sergio Aguero flattering to
deceive, it's doubtful whether they actually possess the tools to
break down a stubborn Racing side. It's best not to read anything
into the 4-0 UEFA victory over a Greek Second division side. The score line
doesn't tell the whole story, as the performance was just as
lethargic as any which preceded it. Perhaps the Calderon faithful
are just too demanding, but it's exceedingly rare to see a team
jeered after winning by four goals. The growing suspicion is that
Aguierre is not the man to get the best out of the 100 million mob.
Jose Mourinho's departure appears to put a few managers of
high-profile coaches under added pressure.
I'm sure Atletico will start firing at some point, but this is
not the time to be backing them. Racing should be supported on the
handicap. To be able to find a 0.75 handicap is a bargain, as
Aguierre has a frustrating (if you're an Atletico follower) tendency
to sit on one-goal advantages. Murcia took full-advantage last week,
and Racing can do the same. Keep an eye out for injury news, as key
visiting defender Ezquiel Garay is listed as doubtful. That news
tempers my enthusiasm slightly, but I feel a +0.5 handicap would be
a more realistic assessment of the current abilities of these two
sides.
Atletico Madrid v Racing Santander. Sunday 18:00
Recommendation: 3pts Racing
Santander +0.75 at 1.96. Betfair.
Ilunga
|