Madrid out to keep their unbeaten record at home
A battle royal will be enacted in the Spanish capital tomorrow as Real Madrid play host to Real Sociedad, a game that will decide who leads the Spanish First Division at the end of the weekend.
A battle royal will be enacted in the Spanish capital tomorrow as Real Madrid play host to Real Sociedad, a game that will decide who leads the Spanish First Division at the end of the weekend.
Sociedad have 21 points from their nine games and are undefeated this season but the European champions have not suffered a league defeat in their Santiago Bernabeu citadel for more than two years.
If the visitors from San Sebastian add their name to the long list of those who have succumbed to the might of fifth-placed Real Madrid in recent years, then it would open the door for reigning champions Valencia to go back to the top on goal difference if they can get maximum points at struggling Osasuna.
However, Sociedad’s French coach Raynald Denoueix is poised to defy the odds in Madrid, drawing inspiration from one of his heroes, his cartoon compatriot Asterix the Gaul.
Asterix regularly defeated seemingly mightier foes and Denoueix believes he can do the same.
"Madrid are a great team but their strength is their weakness. They have so many internationals but these players have to play so many games," said Denoueix in an interview with the Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday.
"For example, a few weeks ago Makelele and Zidane had to play for France in the middle of the week and then turn out for Real against Racing (Santander) at the weekend. It was no surprise to me that they lost this game," he added, reflecting on Madrid’s only league loss of the season.
Denoueix is hoping that the likes of Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos suffer a similar reaction after their trip to Belgium this week, where they drew 1-1 with Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the Real Sociedad coach still seems bemused by his team’s success.
"I thought we were going to do well. But to do this well? I would have said ‘impossible’," commented Denoueix.
To help Real Sociedad’s cause in becoming the first team to notch up a league win in the Bernabeu since Real Mallorca won 2-0 on Nov 1 2000 – and where they themselves have not won for nine seasons – Real Madrid have lost their captain Fernando Hierro for a month.
The injury-prone central defender twisted his knee badly against Genk and Francisco Pavon will start his second league game of the season on Sunday.
Sociedad and Madrid will also be eagerly looking at the result of one of their namesakes, Real Mallorca.
Mallorca have moved from dead last in the Spanish First Division, after losing their first three games, up to third on the back of a six game winning streak and they are hoping to extend their club record at Racing tomorrow.
Looking to find the same form on home soil that they have exhibited in Europe preoccupies both Deportivo coach Javier Irureta and his Barcelona counterpart Louis van Gaal.
Both teams have qualified for the second group phase of the Champions League but will be looking to reignite their domestic campaigns when they face each other in La Coruna today.
Barcelona are down in sixth place while Deportivo have slipped to ninth after just one win in their last four games.
"Now what we have to do is play in the league the way we have been playing in Europe," said Barcelona’s van Gaal after Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Galatasaray.
However, van Gaal will have to do without his combative defender Gabri Garcia, who is suspended after acquiring five yellow cards in just nine matches.