Malaga vs Real Madrid | Spanish Primera Liga | Round 29 | Preview
Real Madrid and Malaga need a victory tonight to take a firm step towards achieving their goals for the season. The Whites still dream about winning the league title, while the southern side wishes to reach the European qualifying positions on the table. The spirit of Juanito -the 17th anniversary of his death was two days ago- will surely be on the stands watching his two dear teams fighting in an exciting clash.
The FIFA virus has taken its toll on Real Madrid. Juande Ramos only had one day to train with all of his players -except Gago, whose flight was delayed- and he won’t be able to count on two of his most reliable men: Robben and Marcelo, both injured. Lass Diarra made the squad list, but suffers from a niggle, and Heinze is suspended for the game.
These absences will give others the chance to shine. Guti missed the clash against Almeria and may be a starter in midfield. Van der Vaart has chances of playing down the left wing and Miguel Torres could well take Heinze’s spot as left back. Nothing will change in attack, with Raul, Higuain and Huntelaar as strikers. Barcelona’s fixture in Valladolid will end before the match in Malaga, meaning the Madridistas will know how their eternal foe has fared. Nevertheless, nothing can add more pressure to wanting to win a league title.
Malaga are the most surprising team of the season. They are 8th with 43 points and only the goal-average keeps them away from making it to the UEFA Cup next year. They started the season hoping to remain in the First Division next year, but the dream of playing in a European competition soon grabbed hold of them.
Coach Antonio Tapia has recovered defenders Javier Calleja and Weligton, striker Nabil Baha and midfielder Miguel Angel. Portuguese midfielder Duda is expected to play now that he has recovered from his niggles, but the final suqad list won’t be announced until a few hours before the game kicks-off.
Guti Returns
Juande Ramos has been forced to let some of his regular men go for the match in Malaga (Saturday @ 22:00 CET). Marcelo is injured on his left adductor muscle, Robben has a Grade I micro-fibrilar tear on the soleus of his right leg, and Gabriel Heinze is suspended for the match. On the other hand, Michel Salgado, Javi Garcia and Drenthe have returned to the list. Faubert and Codina have been left our for coaching decisions.
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Salgado, Pepe, Ramos, Metzelder, Cannavaro, Torres
Midfielders: Lass, Gago, Sneijder, Guti, Drenthe, Parejo, Van der Vaart, Javi Garcia
Forwards: Huntelaar, Raul, Higuain, Saviola
INJURY REPORT
Robben: Grade I micro-fibrilar tear on the right soleus. Medical treatment and physiotherapy.
Marcelo: Injured on the left adductor muscle. Medical treatment and physiotherapy.
The Tale of the Two Fools starring Maicon and Mario Rosi
Once upon a time in Italy there lived two fools named Maicon and Mario Rosi. Maicon was considered to be the Brawn and Mario his Brain. Maicon was basically useless and was not capable of doing anything productive but then the world was going through such a torrid time that people got bamboozled by his stupid tricks and readily accepted his claims of being the best in the world at whatever he was doing.
Mario the Brain quickly realized that this wasn’t going to last for long and he wanted to use the good time he accomplice was having and decided to propagate his fame through a bunch of lousy press boys all around the world. As per his calculations it did work. People started believing his words – the world was in such a poor state. But things were changing in Italy. The spell he had cast on the people there was wearing out. His true self was becoming clearer by the minute and so Mario decided to move quick and fast. He asked Maicon to call up his assistant Antonio Caliendo and make him say something as stupid as this to the press:
Yes, there is interest from Real Madrid. But it is not only los Blancos, because Maicon is the number one in his position.
Caliendo apart from claiming Madrid were interested in his employer, said that making statements regarding interest from other clubs has nothing to do with a desire for an improved contract with the Nerrazzurri. How smart is he?!
Real Madrid soon got abso-fuckin-lutely pissed with whatever those ass clowns were doing. They released the following statement on their website:
Real Madrid denies the report published on page 14 of AS newspaper in its 2 April 2009 edition claiming that “Real Madrid has made an offer for Maicon,” as well as the statement made by the player’s personal advisor, Mario Rosi, who claims “Madrid has sent a fax to Inter.” Neither President Vicente Boluda nor his Board of Directors wishes to initiate or maintain talks regarding the possible hiring of players during the duration of their term.
And then they were busted and everyone else lived happily ever after.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
Junta speak