Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Perfect Atletico brace for Barcelona visit
Published in Daily News Egypt on 17 - 09 - 2010

MADRID: Champions Barcelona travel to unbeaten league leaders Atletico Madrid on Sunday in the first major duel of the 2010/11 La Liga season as both sides present their title credentials.
Barcelona crushed Panathinaikos 5-1 on Tuesday in the Champions League and hope to get back on track in the league after their shock 2-0 home defeat to promoted Hercules.
Atletico were the only team to beat Barcelona in the league last season winning 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon and the Europa League holders have started with a maximum six points to top the standings.
Atletico have so far refused to talk themselves up as title contenders and will have to contend with an in-form Lionel Messi who scored two goals in the Panathinaikos win and the 23-year-old is Barcelona's all-time Champions League leading scorer with 27 goals.
Messi has been hailed as the greatest player on the planet and defender Gerard Pique laughed off suggestions Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was in the same league.
"Comparing (Cristiano) Ronaldo with Messi is absurd," said Pique. "Right now there is such a big difference. Messi shows us every day and there is no need for a debate."
Atletico have two fine strikers themselves in experienced Uruguayan Diego Forlan and his younger sidekick Sergio "Kun" Aguero.
Forlan, voted best player at the World Cup finals, tops the goalscoring charts with three goals and is fit to play, however, Argentine Aguero, 22, has a knock that makes him a doubt for the Barcelona clash.
"I am not going to say that you don't notice if Kun (Aguero) is playing or not," said team-mate Raul Garcia. "He is such an important player and we will have to see if he is ready (for Barcelona)."
If Atletico win they would be six points clear of champions Barcelona who currently lie in ninth position on three points.
"Atletico have won the Europa League, European Super Cup and their first two league matches so it will be difficult," said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta. "They have top international players and are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment."
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho goes in search of his first away win on Saturday when his side travel to unbeaten Real Sociedad.
Mourinho's side were jeered following their narrow 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu but Wednesday's impressive 2-0 Champions League win over Ajax saw the jeers turn to cheers.
Real should have won much more comfortably and have yet to concede in their three first games under Mourinho.
"I am overjoyed to get bored in goal," said Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas. "We were phenomenal against Ajax and we are making the opposition goalkeeper be their best player as we create so many goalscoring chances."
Real have collected four points from six to sit fifth while promoted Sociedad, who finished runner-up to Real in the 2003 title race, are above them on goal difference.
In other matches, Valencia hope to continue their perfect start to the season by bringing Hercules off cloud nine after their historic win over Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Promoted Hercules host Valencia on Sunday aiming to take another big scalp but come up against a side with a maximum six points in the league and high on confidence after winning 4-0 at Bursaspor in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.
Elsewhere third-placed Sevilla, with four points from six, travel to Malaga on Sunday looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez has chosen to leave Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano out of late and the striker voiced his frustration in the press.
"It is horrible being on the substitutes' bench and with the utmost respect I am not used to it," said Fabiano.
At the bottom, promoted Levante and Racing Santander — the only two teams with no points — hope to kickstart their seasons with wins.
Levante host Villarreal on Sunday while Santander are at home to Real Zaragoza on Sunday.


Clic here to read the story from its source.