Racing de Santander vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Turan hopes Atletico can maintain momentum

Posted Saturday, February 11, 2012 by PA

Arda Turan is confident Atletico Madrid can keep their impressive run of form going when they travel to Racing Santander this weekend.

Atleti's away form has been transformed since Diego Simeone took charge, with seven points from their last three games compared to just one in seven games during Gregorio Manzano's short reign, and Turkish winger Arda is looking to make up further ground on the teams challenging for a Champions League place.

He told the club's website: "We have a lot of quality and defensively we are playing better. We feel like a team and doing what the coach asks of us.

"I think we are improving and we have a strong team, but we are playing in a very difficult league.

"Playing away from home is difficult in Spain because every team plays well at their own ground."

Simeone will have to reshuffle a defence that has gone five games without conceding as Miranda is suspended and Diego Godin is also doubtful.

Alvaro Dominguez replaced Godin in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Valencia and will start along with Luis Antonio Perea should the Uruguayan not make it.

Racing's financial troubles have again hit the headlines this week, but on the field things are little better as they slipped back into the relegation zone last weekend after Villarreal's win at Sevilla.

Despite that disappointment, the Cantabrians have only lost once in eight games under Juanjo Gonzalez, and striker Lautaro Acosta believes they can still avoid the drop.

Speaking to the club's website, he said: "We are in good form and we can beat any opponent.

"We have to be strong at home and put in a good performance. There are a number of teams within two or three points and we will give 100%."

Acosta is a doubt, though, after suffering a hamstring strain against Levante last weekend.

Kennedy and Gonzalo Costa will also face late fitness tests, but Tono and Domingo Cisma return from suspension and there could be a debut for Khouma Babacar.