Chelsea v Atletico Madrid Big Ears Preview
By dixon9
October 21 2009
Yes, it’s “Corrupt Cup” time again! On this current quest to win “Big Ears” where we not only take on UEFA, FIFA and influenced referee’s we also face on some of Europe’s finest clubs – this time around it’s Atletico Madrid.
Ring any bells?
Atletico Madrid have historically generally been overshadowed by their more stately and much more succesful neighbours in the capital, Real Madrid. Their supporters are generally more working class (our west end theatre element aside) and noisier than the more sedate Real and have had (and in fact still continue to have) shall we say, a nationalistic, right-wing element.
Think Real = Arsenal, Atletico = Chelsea. Real/Arsenal - the priviliged, Atletico/Chelsea - the downtrodden.
The analogy gets nicely topped off when a brief look into recent Atletico history reveals a recent owner, the late Jesus Gil – a controversial, outspoken figure who didn’t think twice about venting his opinions and taking on all and sundry through the media – Ken Bates anyone?
And before anyone comes up with any "Millwall" quips their equivalent does exist in Rayo Vallecano - Vallecas = New Cross!
1 game to go for Drogba and Bosingwa
This time around we will be Bosingwaless through injury (he would have returned from his ban period for this game) and of course, Drogbaless – he sits-out his last game of the ban period.
Ivanovic will more than likely stay at right-back and it will be interesting to see if Mikel slots in after being available after an ankle injury.
Alex has recovered from injury but apparently is not 100% so expect the pairing of Terry and Carvalho to continue (they would have “continued” anyway I suppose).
Good football?
This SHOULD be a decent game. Atletico like to “play football” and it will be a chance to get a close look at Aguero – a possible target for next summer (should we hold our nerve and really tear into the FIFA lawyers over our transfer ban of course!).
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, A Cole, Carvalho, Terry, Belletti, Hutchinson, Bruma, Essien, Lampard, J Cole, Ballack, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco, Kalou, Sturridge, Anelka, Borini.