Under-pressure Mou faces tough derby
Atletico take on Real
MADRID, Nov 30, (AFP): Atletico Madrid take on derby rivals Real Madrid this weekend aiming to pile up the pressure on underfire coach Jose Mourinho whose team already trail leaders Barcelona by 11 points.
It is the first time in almost 14 years that Atletico take on their illustrious neighbours with more points in La Liga — they are second with an eight-point lead over a stuttering Real who were beaten once again last weekend by Real Betis.
Despite winning the league last season Mourinho is coming under fire from a demanding Madrid media who are speculating whether he will be still at the helm next summer. The Portuguese flatly denies he is feeling the strain. “I have perfect health and I am working as I have done for many years. My relationship with the players and the club is like it has always been,” he said. “This is not a courtroom but a press conference. I am just an employee of the club and it is they who decide if they are happy with what they have but I have a very, very, very good relationship with the president and the board.”
He also had the backing of captain Iker Casillas who played down whistles that have been heard recently at the Bernabeu for the coach. “Only a few months ago the shouts were applause and praise that we had won the league but in football memo- ries are very short.
“‘Mou’ led the team to the title with a record number of points and goals. We should remember the good moments and look to continue the project,” Casillas said.
Atletico’s fine start to the campaign is partly due to the form of Radamel Falcao who has hit 14 goals in 13 games and he is now geared up for the derby.
“I don’t feel as much pressure as motivation. We play a great side and it will be a high-tempo match but we will go out looking to win,” he said. Barcelona take on Athletic Bilbao aiming to maintain their prolific start which has seen them only drop two Saturday Getafe vs Malaga (18:00), Valencia vs Real Sociedad (20:00), points so far in the Clasico against Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi has hit 19 goals in the league and is only three away now from former-Germany striker Gerd Muller’s record of 85 in a calendar year.
“Messi is the best player in the world but there are other footballers with great qualities like Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Iniesta who are not far behind,” said midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Malaga responded to a dip in form with a convincing 4-0 win over Valencia last weekend and now play Getafe while Real Betis who are level with them on 22 points are away at Deportivo la Coruna.
At the other end of the table Javier Aguirre is preparing for his first league game at the helm of Espanyol against Granada after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked following just two wins all season. Levante look to respond to their 4-0 defeat by Barcelona away to Celta Vigo and Valencia hope to maintain their strong home record against Real Sociedad.
Elsewhere, Mallorca play Zaragoza and Sevilla entertain Valladolid. FC Barcelona’s Tello (left), duels for the ball against Alaves’s Manu Garcia during a Copa del Rey soccer match at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona,
Spain, on Nov 28. (AP) Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao (22:00), Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (00:00)
Sunday
Granada vs Espanyol (14:00), Deportivo la Coruna vs Real Betis (19:00), Celta Vigo vs Levante (21:00), Mallorca vs Zaragoza (23:00) Monday Sevilla vs Valladolid (23:30) Note: Kick off times Kuwait. next game against Montpellier, who are never easy to play against,” said a buoyant, but grounded Gomis.
Seeking their first title since the last of their seven consecutive triumphs in 2008, Lyon have a two-point lead over chasing Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille but their mettle will be tested in December with trips to Saint-Etienne and PSG also on the fixture list.
“I’m very happy to be top. It’s not by chance, if we’re there (in first place) we deserve it but there is still a long way to go, and difficult matches on the schedule,” said Lyon boss Garde.
Montpellier’s dreadful start to the season means their title defence is already effectively over, but Rene Girard’s charges are currently enjoying their best run of form this term as they are unbeaten in five league outings.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return from a two-match suspension inspired PSG to a 4-0 rout of Troyes last Saturday, but the Parisians’ dreams of a domestic treble were dashed in midweek as they suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Saint-Etienne in the League Cup.