The battle at the top of La Liga is extremely close, and with
the league remaining the only avenue of silverware for Real Madrid, only a win
will do today when they travel to play Getafe.
Madrid have won nine straight matches in the league, and they
are looking forward to overcome Getafe this evening to make it ten out of ten.
But recent history suggests the title-chasers may be in for an uncomfortable
night at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. In the last five league meetings since
Getafe were first promoted to the top flight in 2004, they have recorded three
wins, a draw, and lost just once – 0-1 in 2007 to Madrid.
With the derby against Athletico Madrid at the weekend, and the
El-Classico fixture two weeks after that, a slip up against Getafe today will
count in the long run. Jerzy Dudek, the Real Madrid second choice goalkeeper
has already warned his team mates, saying they have to concentrate hard,
because Gatafe is a complicated side and “‘they will be motivated’. Last season
Real Madrid had lost a 3-1 at the Getafe ground, a defeat that contributed to
dismissal of Bernd Schuster, Madrid’s coach then.
Gonzalo Higuain, who was Madrid’s top scorer last season with 22
goals, will this evening mark his 100 appearance for Real Madrid, and he will
want to celebrate it with a match winning appearance, he has already scored 20
league goals this season, five behind the Barcelona prodigy Lionel Messi.
Looking ahead of tonight’s clash, Higuain said he will just like to enjoy
himself, and help his team win irrespective of what his personal objective is.
“My objective is to beat the number of goals I scored last year.
I’m only two away, but aside from my personal aims; my main goal is to help the
team. If we are champions and I score goals, then so much the better,” the
striker told AS.
Higuian scored the goals that downed Getafe in the first leg
encounter this season; Madrid won 2-0.
Despite having a better head to head in recent meetings, Getafe
knows playing Real Madrid is not going to be a stroll in the park, particularly
taking into consideration that they have only won once at Coliseum Alfonso
Perez in last five league matches; they lost two matches and drew another two.
“They (Madrid) are out of the Champions League and the Copa del
Rey and this will make them 100% focused. As well as that, they have players
who are used to pressure and solving difficult situations. It’s going to be
difficult, but nothing more. This is sport. At the Bernabeu Getafe already took
them on toe-to-toe and this is the intention tomorrow. We need to be very
careful not to make any mistakes,” Getafe forward Miku said of the match.
Battle of the giants as
Napoli, Juventus clash
Serie A fans are likely to witness a fiery battle this evening
as Napoli take on Juventus in a match neither side can afford to lose.
Currently, three points separate both teams. Juventus are in sixth position on
the league table, while Napoli trail in seventh place, a position it occupies
jointly with Genoa.
In the last 11 days Juventus have thrown away a 3-0 lead against
bottom-placed Siena, lost 4-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage, and fallen 1-0 to
Champions League spot rivals Sampdoria, a situation that has made Alberto
Zaccheroni’s position as Juventus coach untenable.
Walter Mazzarri’s men are fresh from holding Milan to a 1-1 draw
at San Siro, but that came after two consecutive defeats and they are without a
victory since beating Livorno 2-0 in January. Since January they have only
notched up four draws and a 3-1 defeat to Fiorentina at home.
Juventus lost at Napoli last year when Amauri’s opener was
overturned by Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Going into this evening’s game, question marks hang over
Alessandro Del Piero, who sprained his ankle against Sampdoria and will require
a late fitness test. Also Nicola Legrottaglie is suspended and Momo Sissoko is
on compassionate leave.
Napoli on their part will be without Fabiano Santacroce, former Liverpool
full-back Andrea Dossena and Salvatore Aronica for the game.
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