Atletico Madrid - Osasuna

Posted Monday, March 15, 2010 by Goal.com

After a couple of draws last weekend, both los Colchoneros and los Rojillos will be aiming for maximum points in the capital when this week’s round of Primera Division matches conclude...

Kick-off: Monday, March 15, 2010. 21:00 CET
Vicente Calderon, Madrid

Great Expectations

Atletico Madrid have endured a wholly uncertain season at times, yet Quique Sanchez Flores’ side are still being touted to piece together a late run towards European football next term. Occupying 13th in the Primera Division standings at the beginning of the weekend, there is still a good deal of ground to make up for los Colchoneros, who will have to target three points in this Monday’s encounter against Osasuna.

Complicating matters just a little is their involvement in the Europa League; a competition that requires a fair degree of concentration due to its intense nature. Atleti still remain in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals, though their 0-0 midweek draw with Sporting does leave the tie on something of a knife edge.

Between that tournament and the Copa del Rey, Flores’ side may find their best route back to the continent in the cups.

“It is great to be in three competitions,” young goalkeeper David de Gea has insisted. “We need to keep improving in each one and try to progress as far as possible. We are going to fight for all three.”

Specifically regarding the club’s chances of reaching the European berths in La Liga, he commented: “It is difficult, but with time, match by match we can do it. We still have to face a lot of the teams in the top half.”

It is precisely because of the talent imbued in the team that the capital club are still being considered for such a lofty finish, but they have struggled to live up to such expectations over the course of the campaign to date.

Contrasting Style

Though Osasuna actually lie above Monday’s opponents, los Rojillos have not been cast in the same breath when discussing the possibility of the Europa League next term. Whereas los Colchoneros boast household names such as Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero, the Pamplona side are comprised of more modest stock.

While Atleti have exuberant freewheeling attackers, the strength of Osasuna lies in their solidity. Only 26 goals have found their way legally into the net of los Rojillos in their 25 games to date – a record that can only be bettered by Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Of late, Jose Antonio Camacho’s side have stalled somewhat. In the last four games they have failed to pick up a solitary win, despite fairly clement fixtures against the likes of Valladolid, Sporting de Gijon and Getafe. Indeed, their last victory came against a Tenerife side in freefall, though the Navarra outfit would doubtless point out the fact that that victory was their fourth in succession.

There were signs of promise against El Geta last weekend. Osasuna peppered the goal of their guests, hitting the framework on one occasion, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. The workmanlike side from the north east will therefore look to take confidence from such a performance to the capital on Monday evening, where they will look to re-launch their campaign for real.

FORM GUIDE

Atletico

DREW 0-0 (h) Sporting (Europa League, March 12)

DREW 1-1 (a) Zaragoza (Liga, March 7)

WON 4-1 (h) Valencia (Liga, February 28)

WON 2-1 (a) Galatasaray (Europa League, February 25)

LOST 1-0 (a) Almeria (Liga, February 21)

Osasuna

DREW 0-0 (h) Getafe (Liga, March 7)

LOST 3-2 (a) Sporting de Gijon (Liga, February 28)

DREW 1-1 (h) Valladolid (Liga, February 21)

LOST 1-0 (a) Sevilla (Liga, February 14)

WON 1-0 (h) Tenerife (Liga, February 7)

TEAM NEWS

Atletico

Luis Perea was withdrawn early against Sporting, but the injury to his left knee isn’t as serious as first feared, meaning that he will be available for the weekend. Jose Manuel Jurado is doubtful due to stomach flu.

Jose Antonio Reyes and Tiago are banned, but otherwise los Colchoneros are hopeful of having a complete squad.

Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Dominguez, Lopez; Jurado, Assuncao, Garcia, Simao; Forlan, Aguero

Osasuna

Carlos Aranda has been ruled out due to a muscle problem. Ludovic Delporte will not take any part in this game due to a long-standing issue. Camacho has a full panel to select from otherwise.

Probable Starting XI: Ricardo; Azpilicueta, Sergio, Miguel Flano, Monreal; Juanfran, Vadocz, Nekounam, Camunas; Galan, Pandiani

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atletico

Though he has not been as prolific as he has been in recent seasons, Diego Forlan remains the main man in Atleti’s offence. Over the past few weeks he has started to come to the boil nicely, if a little belatedly. He has a very respectable eight goals in his last 13 games for club and country, including four in his last six appearances, one of which was as a substitute.

Osasuna

Former Spain Under-23 centre-back Miguel Flano will have a major role to play in Monday’s encounter. With Atleti bristling with offensive firepower, the graduate of the Pamplona club’s youth academy will have to be sturdy in the face of danger if his side are to excel. A potential threat from set pieces, the 25-year-old has yet to register this season, despite scoring three times last term.

PREDICTION

Atleti continue to be a tremendously inconsistent force, but there have been signs of a little more regularity sneaking into their play of late. Last weekend’s tie against Zaragoza wasn’t a great result, but there was some good character on show from los Colchoneros. Osasuna will provide troublesome opponents, but they won’t be able to match their unpredictable hosts.

Atletico 2-0 Osasuna