Liga Preview: Villarreal v Real Madrid
Villarreal's chances of collecting vital home game points look slim when they take on Spanish Champions Real Madrid at El Madrigal on Tuesday night in the second round of La Liga Primera.
Villarreal's chances of collecting vital home game points look slim when they take on Spanish Champions Real Madrid at El Madrigal on Tuesday night in the second round of La Liga Primera.
Barcelona may have done Villarreal a huge favour when they agreed to loan the side the brilliant Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme for the 2003-04 season. But Villarreal will be unable to do themselves any match-winning favours with this Latin genius so early in the season. Indeed, the team will be star-struck by the flashy visiting side, who will carve up the pitch and send perfectly-weighted passes to Javier Portillo, eager to make a name for himself while Ronaldo is on international duty.
Villarreal would stand a shot at a draw against Madrid if this fixture were it being played at the end of the season. At that time of the year, empowered by Riquelme's magic, it might be able to exploit a side exhausted by a myriad of domestic, European and international commitments. But not this Tuesday night. Villarreal will encounter a Madrid eager to build on its promising start to the season and shoot to the top of the table.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Villarreal: Riquelme has been whipping up a frenzy in the Spanish Media, telling print journalists and television reporters that his new side is capable of beating Madrid. The Argentine is probably just trying to pump up his teammates with such positive talk. But a casual observer might be mistaken for thinking he was born and bred in the shadows of the El Madrigal Stadium. "It will be difficult," he told gathered members of the press. "But if we concentrate, we can beat them."
Fellow new signings Fabricio Coloccini and Sonny Anderson are also expected to start.
Real Madrid: The number of South American international fixtures this week has meant that coach Carlos Queiroz has had to choose from a squad minus the likes of Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Cambiasso, who are obligated to play for their countries. The Portuguese boss will probably count on Raul Bravo, Portillo and Borja Fernandez to fill their shoes.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Villarreal: Reina, Javi Venta, Ballesteros, Quique Alvarez, Arrubarrena, Belletti, Coloccini, Pedro Marti, Riquelme, Anderson.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Helguera, Pavón, Raul Bravo, Borja, Beckham, Zidane, Figo, Raúl, Portillo.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Villarreal: Riquelme will infuse his team with a sense of life and purpose. He will set up and score many attractive goals over the coming season. And his weekly displays of courage, skill and passion will ensure that he is loved by Villarreal fans long after he has returned to Barcelona. Watch him lay the foundations for such adulation in this game.
Real Madrid: The Boys From Brazil will not be around to gift Beckham scoring opportunities, but who would bet against the England captain making it three goals in three games?