13-01-2011 22:00 Real - Atletico Madrid

Still Going Strong

The Copa del Rey may not always take top billing for Real Madrid, but Jose Mourinho indicated from the beginning of the competition that he intends to win this crown. If the Portuguese was having any second thoughts about deploying a strong side in the tournament, a derby fixture against Atletico Madrid will compel him to focus firmly on Thursday evening’s quarter-final first leg encounter.

Los Blancos remain on the coattails of Barcelona in the Primera Division, and even a difficult encounter against Villarreal on Sunday evening could not break their momentum. There may have been a good deal of controversy involved, but there could be little doubting the importance of Madrid’s 4-2 success, during which they twice had to recover from behind.

“In the second half, we were the only side in it,” Mourinho told the media following the match, though he was also quick to praise the Yellow Submarine’s first half endeavour.

Already the former Inter and Porto boss has tasted success against Atleti this season, leading his men to a formidable 2-0 success against their cross-town rivals. The final score of that encounter didn’t really reflect the dominance of the Bernabeu club, who felt so comfortable that Cristiano Ronaldo played an audacious pass with his back to Xabi Alonso.

With the winter transfer window open, it might have been expected that los Merengues would be taking up great column inches with rumours of potential signings, but instead they’re taking a back seat and letting their play on the pitch do the talking.

Troubled Times

A storm is brewing at the Vicente Calderon, where Atletico Madrid are perceived to be underperforming in the Primera Division. Under pressure coach Quique Sanchez Flores was left frustrated by Monday night’s 4-1 humbling against Hercules in Alicante. From the outset, los Colchoneros were second best, and Jose Antonio Reyes’ late goal was scant consolation on a bleak evening for the capital side.

“I believe my players can do big things... I am confident in them,” Flores told the press prior to Thursday’s encounter against Real Madrid, retaining great faith in his side. “All these years we have not won at Real Madrid can act as a stimulus.”

After a great start to the season, Atleti are rather coming apart at the seams. Only two wins have been gleamed from their last six Primera Division encounters, of which four were played against sides in the bottom half of the table. During this period, they’ve also been embarrassingly eliminated from the Europa League.

Los Rojiblancos have been knock-out specialists under Flores. They’ve yet to lose a two-legged affair under the 45-year-old former Real Madrid right-back, though they have certainly not faced a challenge as great as los Blancos previously.

The squad is set to be supplemented by the addition of exciting Brazilian midfielder Elias, while Juanfran’s signing from Osasuna is another positive sign that a corner may be getting turned in the Arganzuela district of the Spanish capital.

Nevertheless, if Atleti were to end their decade long Derbi jinx on Thursday, it would be a huge shock.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Gonzalo Higuain is expected to miss the next four months due to a back problem. The Argentine striker may not play again this season.

Jerzy Dudek and Pepe are the only other injury concerns.

Alvaro Arbeloa returns after a ban.

Atletico

New signings Juanfran and Elias have both been named in the 20-strong squad to travel to the Bernabeu.

Quique Sanchez Flores has no fresh injury worries from Monday’s loss.

Prediction

In such affairs, it’s impossible to back against Real Madrid. Atletico seem to freeze at the Bernabeu, and Quique Sanchez Flores’ unpredictable side are unlikely to buck that trend on Thursday evening. If los Blancos take their eye off the ball, however, their guests are strong enough to punish them.

Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid

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13-01-2011 21:00 Juventus - Catania

Un-Collapsing The Collapse

Juventus had ended 2010 with an 18-match unbeaten record in all competitions and had gone 13 Serie A encounters without dropping all three points in a single match. But the start of the new year has seen the Old Lady collapse almost radically, their 4-1 hammering of Parma in their first game of 2011 was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Napoli in Naples.

Back-to-back defeats have once again raised questions about the extent of success the rebuilding of Juventus under Luigi Del Neri has and will achieve and has also forced them to almost relinquish hopes of a Scudetto triumph.

There are suggestions that the Old Lady's season has been deflated by the two losses but they would be keen to prove that theory wrong tonight against Catania in the Round of 16 tie in the Coppa Italia.

Juventus striker and all-time legend Alessandro Del Piero remains confident of a victory tonight and explains, ''We have to come out of this situation as soon as possible and not be affected by pessimism and negativity. The year has only just begun and there are many games left to play.

"We have to concentrate on what we have to do rather than on what we have not done and focus on our Coppa Italia match against Catania and in Sunday's game against Bari."

Cup Distraction

Just like Juventus, Catania too are coming off the back of two successive losses in the new year. The Sicilians commenced the new year with a 4-2 defeat to Roma in Rome and at the weekend went down 2-1 to Italian and European champions Inter at home despite taking the lead.

The results mean that Marco Giampaolo's side are now 16th in Serie A, just three points above the relegation zone, and there is no doubt that Catania's sole objective for the rest of the campaign is to avoid the drop to the Italian second division.

''Our main priority this season is to avoid the drop,'' said Giampaolo. ''But we will try to honour the Coppa Italia and play well against Juventus. We played well against Inter and although we accept the defeat, we didn't deserve to lose.''

Catania will also attempt to avenge themselves after losing to Juventus at the Angelo Massimino in December in a league encounter in what was their first home defeat in around a year.


 

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon is back in the Bianconeri squad and has been called up along with 20 others players. Luca Toni has been passed fit to play after recovering from the calf injury he suffered at the weekend. Amauri is unavailable with a fractured nose.

Catania

Catania are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Mirco Antenucci and Giuseppe Mascara to start as the front-two.

Prediction

Juventus have already defeated Catania this season and will head into tonight's encounter looking to achieve a similar result. The Bianconeri have lost their two games this year but should have more than enough to eke out a narrow win in Turin tonight.

Juventus 2-0 Catania

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12-01-2011 22:00 Barcelona - Betis

The Golden Team

Knock-out football is known for its ability to throw up shock results, so Barcelona will approach their Copa del Rey tie against Betis with a great deal of respect.

The Blaugrana may have been dominant in the league this term, but even one poor performance can spell disaster in the cup, though even these are something of a rarity when it comes to the Camp Nou side. Athletic Bilbao proved extremely stubborn opponents for Barca in the previous round, and the Catalans were ultimately forced to rely on an away goal from defender Eric Abidal to push them through by the narrowest of margins.

It was back to being business as usual at the weekend, though. Faced with a tricky away match against a usually obstinate Deportivo La Coruna side, Barcelona made the Galicians look distinctly second rate by smashing their way to a 4-0 victory, with four different scorers and another irresistible performance from Lionel Messi.

Each new week seems to be a historic one for Barca. Recently the focus has been on the Ballon d’Or, the top three spots of which were all claimed by players from the Blaugrana’s youth academy – the first time a single club has produced all the podium finishers. Messi took the ultimate prize ahead of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, but such is the ethic around the squad, there are unlikely to be any hints of jealousy.

Copa del Rey action means that the big names may take a back seat, but with plenty of talent waiting in the wings, Guardiola’s men are still formidable opponents.

Lofty Ambitions

Betis may be a Segunda Division club at present, but they’re making waves back towards the top flight and won’t be fazed by the challenge that Barcelona will present on Wednesday evening.

Four points clear of their nearest rivals at the summit of Spanish football’s second tier, they boast the best scoring record and tightest defensive record at their level. And Betis have shown an ability to step up in the big games, having already eliminated Getafe and Zaragoza from the Copa del Rey this season.

Last week’s win over los Azulones was particularly stirring. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, los Beticos travelled to Madrid with only limited hopes of progress. With the game goalless at half-time, the Andalucians’ prospects looked even bleaker, but a goal from Jorge Molina was complimented by a late brace from Ruben Castro, which helped them to a 3-1 success on the night and put the Sevilla side through 4-3 overall.

Regulars in the top flight – Betis have spent almost two-thirds of their existence amongst the elite – los Verdiblancos can also call upon recent fond memories of the Copa to inspire them ahead of their toughest challenge this season. In 2005, a year in which Barca were embarrassingly defeated by Segunda B side UDA Gramenet, the crown was lifted by Betis for the second time in their existence.

Victory on Wednesday evening would surely better the achievement of June 11, 2005, and would certainly rank as a greater surprise, especially as they could only draw with Barca's B team when they met earlier in the season.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola's side are in the happy position of having a complete squad, including the best three players in the world, to select from. The Copa del Rey tends to see the coach rotate, however.

Betis

After five months out, Jonathan Pereira could return for Wednesday's big match. Achille Emana, the Segunda side's key side, and Dorado continue to miss out, while Salva Sevilla, Roversi and Belenguer will require checks.

Momo and Miguel Lopes are both fine.

Prediction

Betis must be considered dangerous opponents for Barcelona. The Segunda Division side are used to winning and will be bubbling with confidence after eliminating two top flight opponents. Matching Barca is a different matter altogether, and even if Pep Guardiola only deploys a second string, the Primera Division champions should have enough to earn the win.

Barcelona 3-1 Betis

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12-01-2011 21:00 Inter - Genoa

Maintaining The Momentum

Heading into the new year Inter were a disaster. The Italian and European champions may have won the Club Word Cup but the dismissal of Rafael Benitez as coach and the introduction of Leonardo, who has just one season of top-flight football management experience, did invite a large cloud of doubt over the Nerazzurri’s ambitions this campaign.

But two wins in two matches under the 41-year-old Brazilian have refurbished the Beneamata and have made them re-adopt hope again. Perhaps it would be pre-mature to suggest that Inter are back in the Scudetto race or have resurrected themselves, but the comprehensive victory over Napoli at San Siro and then the hard-fought win against Catania who had lost just one home game all season prior to Sunday's defeat does exhibit the rediscovery of confidence of the players.

Inter will start today's match as favourites against Genoa and playing at home will give them an added advantage. The Nerazzurri have a formidable record at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and a victory over a side who have not won for over a month is expected.

Leonardo, though, is not eager to shake hands with the demon of complacency and says, "Right now, after two victories, the team is growing. We can expect an important match tomorrow. Also because every time you are down on the field you have the opportunity to send signals and teach the team. This is why we treat every game in the same way."

Welcoming Cup Distraction

Davide Ballardini doesn’t have to fear for his job at Genoa as he was enthroned just a few weeks ago but Genoa's ambitions for a top-six finish in Serie A look largely over. With 23 points from 18 matches in the league, the Grifoni are eight points off a Europa League slot.

Tonight's Coppa Italia tie will come as much as a welcoming distraction as a cause to lift themselves, although the trip to Milan to take on an in-form Inter side buoyant by back-to-back league victories this new year under Leonardo doesn't promise to be easy.

Genoa last won in the first week of December when they defeated Lecce 3-1 away. Since then they have lost one and drawn two of their games, failing to score in any of these encounters.

So far in the Coppa Italia Genoa have confronted lower league opposition, winning 2-1 against Grosseto in the third round and 3-1 against Vicenza in the fourth round, both times playing at home.

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Leonardo has called up 21 players for tonight’s match against Genoa. Julio Cesar once again misses out because of injury and so does Sneijder. Thiago Motta is unavailable as well. Eto’o and Milito are expected to line up in attack.

Genoa

The Grifoni will travel to Milan with 20 players. In a 4-4-2 line-up, Rudolf and Sculli are expected to be the two forwards.

Prediction

Inter have won both their matches under Leonardo this year while Genoa last won a game in the first week of December and have not scored in their last three matches. This is a Cup tie and anything’s possible but a victory for the Beneamata is the most likely outcome.

Inter Milan 2-0 Genoa

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12-01-2011 20:00 Villarreal - Sevilla

Confident Customers

Villarreal are still a side fighting for honours on several fronts. Though they are not going to catch Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the Spanish crown, Champions League qualification remains a distinct possibility, while the east coast club are still very much in the mix to win the Europa League this term. The Copa del Rey, however, perhaps offers the Yellow Submarine their best chance of success.

Domestically, Juan Carlos Garrido’s side have been virtually flawless at their El Madrigal home for almost a year. Only Barcelona have won at the venue since the former reserve team coach took over in the spring of 2010, allowing the Yellow Submarine to genuinely fancy their chances against any opponent over the course of two legs.

A tough Sunday fixture away to Real Madrid did little to build the confidence of Villarreal on their travels, though the coach was broadly pleased with his side’s performance in a 4-2 reverse at the Bernabeu. He was not, however, impressed with the officials, lamenting: “There was a decisive move which made the game 3-2 in which there were two offsides. I say this because it seems to detract from Real Madrid, and that is not what I want because we have both created a very good game.”

The fixture list is largely kind to Villarreal over the course of the next couple of months, even if it is a little crowded. A busy schedule at this stage of the campaign should be deemed a sign of success, so Villarreal won’t be displeased about being well occupied but will be aiming to put this tie firmly in their favour on Wednesday evening.

Picking Up At Last?

Sevilla finished last term on a high, claiming the Copa del Rey with a victory over Atletico Madrid in the final and sneaking into the Champions League spots to boot. The Andalucians have dived sharply downhill from there, eliminated from the top tier of European competition before even meeting with one of the continent’s best and struggling for any kind of positive momentum in the league.

Gregorio Manzano was appointed in place of Antonio Alvarez early in the campaign to address pertinent issues in the side but has struggled to make the kind of impact he would wish. The winter break has been a chance for the club to collect their thoughts and start afresh, and though it’s not been full steam ahead from los Nervionenses, they have certainly enjoyed some improved form.

While wins over Osasuna and Real Sociedad ended an ugly five game losing streak in the top flight, a comfortable 3-0 win away against Malaga allowed los Rojiblancos to progress to the last eight of the cup at the expense of their Andalucian brothers.

Instead of courting success following the bright start to January, former Mallorca boss Manzano has chosen to play down the three successive wins, telling his players to refocus ahead of Wednesday night’s encounter because any lapse will lead to the team’s deficiencies once again being made clear.

Sevilla are at something of a juncture at present, though their route does appear to be becoming easier. Wednesday’s match gives them the chance to re-establish themselves in the minds of their fans as a major force.

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Cani may have been dismissed last weekend, but his red card has been rescinded and he is involved in the squad. Carlos Marchena, Nilmar, Marcos Senna and Angel are all injured.

Sevilla

Luis Fabiano has suffered from adductor discomfort this week, and though an ultrasound has shown there is no risk to the striker, he's not involved in the squad. Andres Palop is also missing.

Ivica Dragutinovic is training with the first team, but he won't be ready to return to action for some time yet.

Prediction

While Sevilla have been hit-or-miss on the road all season, there can be little arguing with the strong home form of Villarreal, which makes the Yellow Submarine strong favourites to claim an advantage ahead of the second leg. Indeed, it would be a shock if los Nervionenses earned even a draw from this match given their lamentable recent performances. 

Villarreal 3-1 Sevilla

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