It will be delicately poised heading into the second leg of this Copa del Rey tie at Estadio Zorilla. Though Valladolid will be pleased with their work a week ago, Atleti will know that all they need to do is grab a score draw to progress to the quarter finals on away goals.That said, the home side will be confident they can beat their opponents from Madrid, who will know doubt have one eye on el derbi at the weekend against Real.
Squad rotation could prove decisive as both coaches will attempt to maintain a balanced side, but also keep their key players rested to avoid injuries or squad fatigue.
Finding Form
Valladolid have looked a good side on their day since gaining promotion last season, but too often they have failed to take advantage of arguably easier fixtures, whilst grabbing valuable points against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
With winter, though, has come consistency. La Pucela have held the likes of Sevilla and Atletico Madrid to valuable draws away from home, the latter, of course, being the first leg of this tie just a week ago. They have also been picking up comprehensive wins against teams such as Getafe and Recreativo.
They have looked powerful in the Copa; after a 1-1 tie in the first leg, they traveled to Murcia to bury their opponents with a spirited 3-2 win. In the first leg of this round, they battled admirably to keep an on-form Atleti at bay and came away with a valuable draw.
They may look at the Copa as an outside chance at silverware, but it is more than likely that manager Jose Luis Mendilibar will look to play it safe and keep the league as his first priority.
As a result, we may see a slightly weakened Valladolid line up, but with the tie being at home, Mendilibar may smell an upset and attempt to go for the kill.
Coming of Age
When speaking of form sides, it is hard to avoid Atletico Madrid. Javier Aguirre’s side are finally asserting their authority as a dominant force in the league, getting ever closer to that elusive Champions League qualification spot.
As one of the most successful clubs in Spanish history, they have endured a lull as of late, but the likes of Sergio Aguero, Maxi Rodriguez and new signing Diego Forlan are leading from the front in the post-Torres era, and they are looking stronger than they ever did with the Liverpool star in their squad.
Questions had been asked of their defence: despite winning, they were conceding far too many goals. In recent weeks, however, los rojiblancos have strengthened their resolve at the back, having conceded just three in their last six.
Their sole slip up in recent times came just before the Christmas break when they were beaten at home by an incredible Espanyol side, who have been in exceptional form themselves.
With the club pushing for Champions League qualification as a priority, it is unlikely their UEFA Cup run will be given first priority, as a result their only shot at silverware may indeed come via the Copa, and as Sevilla did last season, Atleti may seek to upset the odds and win the competition that Barcelona and Real Madrid are partially neglecting.
FORM GUIDE
Valladolid
13 Jan Valladolid vs Recreativo 3-1 (La Liga)
10 Jan Atletico Madrid vs Valladolid 0-0 (Copa del Rey)
06 Jan Getafe vs Valladolid 0-3 (La Liga)
02 Jan Valladolid vs Murcia 2-3 (Copa del Rey)
23 Dec Betis vs Valladolid 0-0 (La Liga)
16 Dec Valladolid vs Sevilla 0-0 (La Liga)
Atletico Madrid
13 Jan Atletico Madrid vs Valencia 1-0 (La Liga)
10 Jan Atletico Madrid vs Valladolid 0-0 (Copa del Rey)
06 Jan Deportivo vs Atletico Madrid 0-3 (La Liga)
02 Jan Atletico Madrid vs Grenada 74 1-1 (Copa del Rey)
23 Dec Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol 1-2 (La Liga)
20 Dec Atletico Madrid vs Panathinaikos 2-1 (UEFA Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Valladolid
Asenjo’s good form may see him continue his stint in goal as la Pucela will be pushing for a result, though we may just as easily see Alberto get his time between the sticks as Butelle is still out injured.
Llorente will surely start up front after scoring a hattrick at the weekend but Sesma appears to still be out and Estoyanoff will play in his place.
It is possible Kome will start instead of forward Victor in an attempt to take a more solid formation into the game and not get outnumbered in midfield by Atleti.
Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1) Asenjo – Cifu, Alexis, Inaki Bea, Oscar Sanchez – Borja, Camacho – Estoyanoff, Kome, Sisi – Llorente.
Atletico Madrid
Falcon should be starting in goal, while the defensive line is fairly unpredictable at the moment. Captain Maxi Rodriguez may be rested and Simao likewise: able deputies Luis Garcia and Jose Antonio Reyes will come in as replacements.
Kun Aguero will most likely be on the bench to be used in case of emergency, while Mista takes his starting place. It is unclear whether Raul Garcia will receive a start ahead of Jurado or not.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2) Falcon – Varela, Eller, Ze Castro, Pernia – Reyes, Cleber Santana, Jurado, Luis Garcia – Mista, Forlan.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Valladolid – Joseba Llorente
He was the hattrick hero at the weekend and will no doubt be looking to expose old frailties within the visitors’ defense. The tall and strong number 9 has been incredibly prolific since joining the club in 2005 and is always their main threat at the business end of the pitch. Should Sisi, start he may also prove a significant threat down the wings.
Atletico Madrid – Jose Antonio Reyes
It is hard to identify how Atletico will approach this game being away from home and prospectively resting so many players. However, one man with a point to prove who will almost certainly start is ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid man Jose Antonio Reyes.
His ability is plain to see, but he has never been able to hold down a regular place at any club, even after winning Real the league on the final day of last season. His move across town to Atleti has been far from ideal as Simao and Maxi Rodriguez have limited him to mostly substitute appearances.
Reyes will no doubt look to dominate the game in both a creative and dynamic capacity and, as he has such ability to score and assist, as well as prove lethal when taking set-pieces, he will definitely by one to watch on Wednesday evening.
PREDICTION
This game is well and truly unpredictable. A lot will depend on the last minute decisions with squad selection, as well as the mentality on the night – who wants it more? Home advantage will assist la Pucela but ultimately Atletico, who only need a score draw to progress on away goals, will most likely get just that.
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