Atletico desperate for first Madrid derby win in 10 years
Madrid |Thursday, 2009 7:05:06 PM IST
 

If a week is a long time in politics, as former British prime minister Harold Wilson once famously said, then just how long is 10 years in football?

A veritable eternity, according to the long-suffering fans of Atletico Madrid.

Not since 1999 have Atletico managed to beat their historic crosstown rivals.

They will have another chance to put the record straight Saturday, when Real visit the Estadio Calderon.

Both sides will approach the derby in relatively good heart, after battling out draws in the Champions League Tuesday.

Real earned a valuable point away to AC Milan, which keeps them on the course for the round of 16, while Atletico managed a late 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea - which keeps them on course for the Europa League.

Atletico are third from bottom in La Liga and in desperate need of points.

On Wednesday winger Simao said that "we are obliged to earn points (on Saturday) because the team cannot be in this position... It is about time that we finally beat Real."

Simao added that he was sorry that fellow Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo would miss the derby through injury, and admitted to being worried as to whether Ronaldo would be fit for Portugal's upcoming World Cup play-off against Bosnia.

Real announced on Wednesday that Ronaldo will soon travel to the Netherlands to be treated for his ankle injury by specialist Niek Van Dijk.

Real are just one point behind leaders Barcelona, who are at home to fifth-placed Mallorca earlier Saturday.

Barca have no injury worries now that Dani Alves and Thierry Henry are fit again, but they are worried about their Champions League situation after Wednesday's disappointing 0-0 draw away to Rubin Kazan.

In Saturday's other games, Getafe are at home to Deportivo Coruna whilst Tenerife take on Malaga in an early relegation clash.

Sunday's big game will see third-placed Sevilla take on born-again Villarreal, who have won their last two games and thus moved out of the danger zone.

Fourth-placed Valencia, meanwhile, will be at home to Zaragoza.

Sunday's other games are as follows: Almeria-Osasuna, Racing Santander-Athletic Bilbao, Sporting Gijon-Espanyol and Valladolid-Xerez.

--DPA

abr/dg

( 368 Words)

2009-11-05-17:43:20 (IANS)

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