Spanish La Liga 2007-2008 is going to begin from 25 August 2007. On the very first day, defending champion Real Madrid will face their arch rival Atlético Madrid. The Madrid derby will definitely get the highest attention on the first day of new season. Real Madrid’s recent performance is not satisfactory at all. They have suffered a crushing 5-3 defeat to Sevilla in the second leg match of Spanish Super Cup 2007.
On the other hand, Atlético Madrid finished the La Liga 2006-2007 season seventh among the twenty teams. However, performance and statistics can not predict anything when these two teams of same city face each other. Real Madrid is definitely the most successful Spanish club with 30 Spanish La Liga titles and 9 UEFA champion league titles. Atlético Madrid won La Liga for 9 times but could not ever win UEFA Champions league title. So, no doubt, Real Madrid is a high profile club. However, ahead of the upcoming Madrid Derby, both teams are now busy with their last minute preparation.
Last season, both leg matches between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid were 1-1 drawn. So, you can realize that how much challenging a Madrid Derby is in any competition. They do not want to lose in the match. This season, Real Madrid has lost some of their star players like midfielder David Beckham, attacking defender Roberto Carlos and another midfielder Emerson. Though Real has already included some star players as well but they will need some time to assimilate with the new environment and to understand each other. This season Julio Baptista has come to play for Real Madrid on loan from English club Arsenal. Argentine star Javier Saviola joined and he will be seen pairing up with Real Madrid’s no. 1 striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Portuguese defender Pepe also joined at Bernabeu.
In contrast, Atletico Madrid does not have as many star footballers as Real Madrid. Captain Maxi Rodríguez is most probably one of the biggest stars of the club. This Argentine midfielder has been playing for Atletico Madrid since 2005. However, for the forth coming season, Atletico Madrid has included Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. Forlan spent three seasons in another Spanish club Villarreal for whom he played 106 matches. Two Portuguese midfielders Maniche and Costinha are their most important midfielders. In the defense they have two Brazilian Diego Silva and Fabiano Eller. To tell the truth, Atletico Madrid is a balanced team and they have the capability to defend any opponent.
Real Madrid’s current situation is not so good and they are thinking of buying some new players including Chelsea striker Arjen Robben, Diego Milito of Real Zaragoza, Inter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Ajax. There is also news in the media that Manchester United defender Grabriel Heing will also join Real Madrid.
Real Madrid has world wide popularity whereas Atletico Madrid’s popularity is within Spain. However, Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid match always has world wide attraction and is considered as one of the most popular Derbies in club football. I hope the coming Madrid Derby will also have huge attraction among the football fans of the world and this match will be the most attractive match of the first day of the new season. Now, the million dollar question is who will win the match, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. Only time can give the best answer of it.
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