Spanish Primera Liga 2009
Real Madrid
vs
Valladolid
Match Schedule:
Date: October 17th
Time: 18:00 (GMT)
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Real Madrid
vs
Valladolid
Match Schedule:
Date: October 17th
Time: 18:00 (GMT)
Wounded Giants
Spirits are high in Spain after La Roja, the Spanish national team, posted 10 consecutive wins out of 10 matches in their World Cup qualifying matches to win their group.
However, as we near a return to action in La Liga’s 7th week of action, the sentiment in Madrid is slightly less celebratory as Cristiano Ronaldo returns from the international break having re-aggravated his ankle injury, leaving the Portuguese winger out of action for at least a month.
Bad things tend to come in groups and Ronaldo’s injury is the latest in a plague of mounting injuries that has struck the Madrid roster over the past week. Furthermore, Madrid are coming off of their first loss of the season - a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla - that, if not for Iker Casillas, could have been even worse.
CR9’s injury does nothing to help resolve the uncertainties that have surfaced about the quality of Madrid’s play. For long stretches of games, Los Blancos have looked disjointed on the pitch, somewhat aimless in attack and lacked the flair that is so adamantly demanded by Bernabeu faithful.
With Ronaldo sidelined and this Saturday’s match being played at home, the pressure will rise even further for Madrid to not only win, but also play attractively. Should they fail to score in the first half of the match against 16th place side Valladolid, there could be an uncomfortable amount of jeering as the players head back to the dressing room.
Valiant Valladolid?
In their third consecutive season in La Primera, Valladolid have yet to finish above 15th place in the table. With only one win in six matches (earned against newly promoted Zaragoza), the Blanquivioletas are once again struggling to climb into the upper half of the table and at 16th place in the table sit just one point above the top spot in the relegation zone.
Lacking the offensive prowess to hold the ball and apply sustained pressure on the Madrid back line, Valladolid will rely on the counter-attack to exploit the gaps left by Madrid’s attack-minded defenders. The mood in the visiting camp is one of optimism as Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men have expressed in the days preceding the match that they are unafraid of the many world-class players Madrid employ.
But to take any points away from their visit to the Bernabeu, La Pucela must batten down the hatches, play with a stingy defence and be clinical with the chances afforded to them. The opportunities will come - how Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side makes use of them is another matter entirely.
Spirits are high in Spain after La Roja, the Spanish national team, posted 10 consecutive wins out of 10 matches in their World Cup qualifying matches to win their group.
However, as we near a return to action in La Liga’s 7th week of action, the sentiment in Madrid is slightly less celebratory as Cristiano Ronaldo returns from the international break having re-aggravated his ankle injury, leaving the Portuguese winger out of action for at least a month.
Bad things tend to come in groups and Ronaldo’s injury is the latest in a plague of mounting injuries that has struck the Madrid roster over the past week. Furthermore, Madrid are coming off of their first loss of the season - a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla - that, if not for Iker Casillas, could have been even worse.
CR9’s injury does nothing to help resolve the uncertainties that have surfaced about the quality of Madrid’s play. For long stretches of games, Los Blancos have looked disjointed on the pitch, somewhat aimless in attack and lacked the flair that is so adamantly demanded by Bernabeu faithful.
With Ronaldo sidelined and this Saturday’s match being played at home, the pressure will rise even further for Madrid to not only win, but also play attractively. Should they fail to score in the first half of the match against 16th place side Valladolid, there could be an uncomfortable amount of jeering as the players head back to the dressing room.
Valiant Valladolid?
In their third consecutive season in La Primera, Valladolid have yet to finish above 15th place in the table. With only one win in six matches (earned against newly promoted Zaragoza), the Blanquivioletas are once again struggling to climb into the upper half of the table and at 16th place in the table sit just one point above the top spot in the relegation zone.
Lacking the offensive prowess to hold the ball and apply sustained pressure on the Madrid back line, Valladolid will rely on the counter-attack to exploit the gaps left by Madrid’s attack-minded defenders. The mood in the visiting camp is one of optimism as Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men have expressed in the days preceding the match that they are unafraid of the many world-class players Madrid employ.
But to take any points away from their visit to the Bernabeu, La Pucela must batten down the hatches, play with a stingy defence and be clinical with the chances afforded to them. The opportunities will come - how Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side makes use of them is another matter entirely.
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