It's been more than a decade and a half now since Atletico Madrid made the incredible mistake of letting a youngster named Raul Gonzalez escape to the other side of town. He hasn't let them forget it. His first goal for Real Madrid came in the derby back in November 1994, and over the years, Raul has scored 10 more times against his former team. The 32-year-old has been the central figure in this rivalry for as long as anyone can remember, which will make it all the more strange if he is indeed on the substitutes' bench at the start of Saturday's clash, the 145th league meeting between the two sides. However, a strong track record against Atletico stands as a pretty weak argument for his inclusion in the face of more recent events. Manuel Pellegrini made the bold decision to leave Raul out of the lineup the past two games, and Real promptly played some of its best football of the season against Getafe and Milan. The winds of change might finally be blowing in Madrid.Then again, don't count out Raul adding to his tally on Saturday. He very nearly snatched a winner at the San Siro after coming on in the second half, and two seasons ago scored a goal at the Vicente Calderon one minute into the game. Against Atletico, he doesn't need much time to do damage. Pellegrini will be forced into a change at the back, thanks to the suspension of Raul Albiol. Not good news when going up against Sergio Aguero. The little Argentine will certainly feature from the start, provided he is declared fit. He is back in business after scoring two sensational goals against Chelsea on Wednesday in what the English media believes was a trial of sorts.The 21-year-old actually began the match against the Blues on the bench, having gone more than 600 minutes without a goal. But all it took was one great performance for all the hopes of Atletico fans to once again be placed on his shoulders. Whatever the future may hold, Aguero will be determined to pick up his first win over Real since arriving in Spain. He is probably the only player capable of overcoming all the negative history that seemingly weighs down his team in these games – Atletico hasn't won a home derby in over 10 years. A victory would just about make up for a nightmarish season so far, and give manager Quique Flores a fighting chance to turn things around.
One player who might not see the field anytime soon is Cristiano Ronaldo, as the ankle injury he sustained during a World Cup qualifier is apparently worse than initially thought. After visiting a specialist in the Netherlands, Ronaldo has opted against surgery and faces a race against time to be ready for the showdown against Barcelona at the end of November. All of this according to Madrid. The Portuguese federation is having none of it, and says it plans to call up Ronaldo for the upcoming playoffs against Bosnia. Real's biggest fear is that another setback could sideline him for several months, but they are unlikely to find a sympathetic ear in Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz. Stay tuned. In the meantime, Ronaldo can kick back like the rest of us an enjoy what promises to be a very interesting weekend in La Liga.First Quest: Atletico Madrid vs. Real MadridSaturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes Both teams came away from their Champions League encounters with a renewed sense of optimism. The 2-2 draw against Chelsea was certainly Atletico's best performance of the season, and Real was very pleased with its first 45 minutes at the San Siro against Milan. Particularly encouraging was the play of Karim Benzema, who seems a different player without the presence of Raul. Manuel Pellegrini is expected to repeat the same formation from the past two games with Kaka playing behind the striker, flanked by Marcelo on the left and Gonzalo Higuain on the right. German defender Christoph Metzelder will likely step in for the suspended Raul Albiol, who is unlucky to miss out as a result of his ludicrous sending off last week against Getafe.Meanwhile, Quique Flores plans to reward Jose Antonio Reyes for an excellent outing against Chelsea with a start against his former team. Reyes and Simao Sabrosa will be the two wingers, as Maxi Rodriguez is relegated to the bench. Raul Garcia replaces the suspended Paulo Assuncao in the center of the midfield alongside Brazilian Cleber Santana. Second Quest: Barcelona vs. MallorcaSaturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV Two more matches without a victory and questions are once again being asked about this Barcelona side. The Catalans continue to control almost every game and practice their slick passing style, but while last season's team always seemed to knock the ball around with a purpose, the current edition sometimes engages in possession for the sake of possession.
Andres Iniesta will likely be given a rest on Saturday, replaced in the starting XI by Thierry Henry. Barcelona needs the Frenchman to emerge, as its strongest lineup features Henry on the left wing, and Iniesta alongside Xavi in the midfield. Henry has yet to score in 515 minutes of competitive action this season, and is rumored to be at odds with Pep Guardiola.Curiously, Henry has played a total of only nine minutes in two games since being declared fit, while Daniel Alves stepped right back into the starting lineup against Rubin Kazan immediately after returning from his injury. But Henry has a golden opportunity to prove his worth against a Mallorca side that has yet to record an away win, despite its impressive start to the season. Ladies-in-waiting: Valencia vs. Real ZaragozaSunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes Valencia suffered a bit more than expected last weekend against Malaga, but Unai Emery's side is unbeaten in five league games. Much of the credit must go to a wonderful midfield that places the opposition under pressure for most of the game. With players like Pablo Hernandez, Juan Mata and Ever Banega providing the service, David Villa could be poised for one of the best years of his career. Villa will set his sights on a Zaragoza team that has allowed the second most goals this season, one fewer than Atletico Madrid. Sevilla put four past Zaragoza back in the second round, and Barcelona scored six times two weeks ago. The visitors will be without injured striker Javier Arizmendi, but midfielder Gabi Fernandez, who sat out last Sunday's win over Almeria, returns. Ladies-in-waiting: Sevilla vs. VillarrealSunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV Fresh off becoming the first Spanish side to book a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, third-place Sevilla will look to continue its strong play in La Liga as well. Much of the focus will be on Jesus Navas, who has been in scintillating form this season and appears poised for a call up to the national team. Navas was on target against Stuttgart on Wednesday. Sevilla will host a Villarreal side suddenly brimming with confidence following two straight wins in the league, and a thrashing of Lazio in Europe. The yellow submarine must make due without midfielder Santi Cazorla (hernia), and strikers Nilmar (suspended) and Joseba Llorente (ankle). Leading the attack will likely be Giuseppe Rossi and Ruben Cani. The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games Getafe vs. DeportivoTenerife vs. MalagaRacing vs. Athletic BilbaoValladolid vs. XerezAlmeria vs. OsasunaSporting vs. Espanyol
One player who might not see the field anytime soon is Cristiano Ronaldo, as the ankle injury he sustained during a World Cup qualifier is apparently worse than initially thought. After visiting a specialist in the Netherlands, Ronaldo has opted against surgery and faces a race against time to be ready for the showdown against Barcelona at the end of November. All of this according to Madrid. The Portuguese federation is having none of it, and says it plans to call up Ronaldo for the upcoming playoffs against Bosnia. Real's biggest fear is that another setback could sideline him for several months, but they are unlikely to find a sympathetic ear in Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz. Stay tuned. In the meantime, Ronaldo can kick back like the rest of us an enjoy what promises to be a very interesting weekend in La Liga.First Quest: Atletico Madrid vs. Real MadridSaturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes Both teams came away from their Champions League encounters with a renewed sense of optimism. The 2-2 draw against Chelsea was certainly Atletico's best performance of the season, and Real was very pleased with its first 45 minutes at the San Siro against Milan. Particularly encouraging was the play of Karim Benzema, who seems a different player without the presence of Raul. Manuel Pellegrini is expected to repeat the same formation from the past two games with Kaka playing behind the striker, flanked by Marcelo on the left and Gonzalo Higuain on the right. German defender Christoph Metzelder will likely step in for the suspended Raul Albiol, who is unlucky to miss out as a result of his ludicrous sending off last week against Getafe.Meanwhile, Quique Flores plans to reward Jose Antonio Reyes for an excellent outing against Chelsea with a start against his former team. Reyes and Simao Sabrosa will be the two wingers, as Maxi Rodriguez is relegated to the bench. Raul Garcia replaces the suspended Paulo Assuncao in the center of the midfield alongside Brazilian Cleber Santana. Second Quest: Barcelona vs. MallorcaSaturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV Two more matches without a victory and questions are once again being asked about this Barcelona side. The Catalans continue to control almost every game and practice their slick passing style, but while last season's team always seemed to knock the ball around with a purpose, the current edition sometimes engages in possession for the sake of possession.
Andres Iniesta will likely be given a rest on Saturday, replaced in the starting XI by Thierry Henry. Barcelona needs the Frenchman to emerge, as its strongest lineup features Henry on the left wing, and Iniesta alongside Xavi in the midfield. Henry has yet to score in 515 minutes of competitive action this season, and is rumored to be at odds with Pep Guardiola.Curiously, Henry has played a total of only nine minutes in two games since being declared fit, while Daniel Alves stepped right back into the starting lineup against Rubin Kazan immediately after returning from his injury. But Henry has a golden opportunity to prove his worth against a Mallorca side that has yet to record an away win, despite its impressive start to the season. Ladies-in-waiting: Valencia vs. Real ZaragozaSunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes Valencia suffered a bit more than expected last weekend against Malaga, but Unai Emery's side is unbeaten in five league games. Much of the credit must go to a wonderful midfield that places the opposition under pressure for most of the game. With players like Pablo Hernandez, Juan Mata and Ever Banega providing the service, David Villa could be poised for one of the best years of his career. Villa will set his sights on a Zaragoza team that has allowed the second most goals this season, one fewer than Atletico Madrid. Sevilla put four past Zaragoza back in the second round, and Barcelona scored six times two weeks ago. The visitors will be without injured striker Javier Arizmendi, but midfielder Gabi Fernandez, who sat out last Sunday's win over Almeria, returns. Ladies-in-waiting: Sevilla vs. VillarrealSunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV Fresh off becoming the first Spanish side to book a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, third-place Sevilla will look to continue its strong play in La Liga as well. Much of the focus will be on Jesus Navas, who has been in scintillating form this season and appears poised for a call up to the national team. Navas was on target against Stuttgart on Wednesday. Sevilla will host a Villarreal side suddenly brimming with confidence following two straight wins in the league, and a thrashing of Lazio in Europe. The yellow submarine must make due without midfielder Santi Cazorla (hernia), and strikers Nilmar (suspended) and Joseba Llorente (ankle). Leading the attack will likely be Giuseppe Rossi and Ruben Cani. The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games Getafe vs. DeportivoTenerife vs. MalagaRacing vs. Athletic BilbaoValladolid vs. XerezAlmeria vs. OsasunaSporting vs. Espanyol
