Real Madrid probably wouldn't like to admit it, but getting over a loss to Barcelona in an El Clasico match-up is something they should be fairly adept at these days. This time could be a bit more challenging though since the expectations were set so high and the chance to bury their rival early in the season so great. Such is the nature of soccer that no matter what happened in the last match, there's always another one around the corner in which to redeem yourself.
Sevilla Vs. Real Madrid, 2011 La Liga, Week 16: Los Merengues Seek Clasico Redemption
Real Madrid will look to rebound from their loss to Barcelona on the road against fifth-place Sevilla.
Madrid will look for some measure of redemption against fith place Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Saturday. This match is Madrid's "game in hand" against the Blaugrana who played their Week 16 match early as they are currently participating in the FIFA Club Word Cup in Japan. A victory for Madrid would move them back on top of La Liga with a three point advantage. Mourinho's men cruised to 2-0 victory over third-tier Ponferradina in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday but the real measure of their mental state comes this weekend.
Manager Marcelino García Toral will lean heavily on forward Manu who joined the club in the summer and leads the team with five goals in 15 appearances. The Sevillistas will also look to goalkeeper Javi Varas to have a big performance against the vaunted Real Madrid offense that has already scored 50 goals in league competition this year. No easy ask for the 29-year old Seville native. Sevilla did manage a draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in October, so there shouldn’t be a shortage of belief among the players.
Sevilla lost last weekend as well, 1-0 to Levante, but like Madrid won in the Copa del Rey in the midweek. Sevilla will look to improve their 5-1-2 home record and get their first fivctory over Los Blancos since October 4th, 2009.
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
TV: GolTV (USA and Canada), Sky Sports 3 (UK)
For more on Los Merengues, check out Real Madrid blog Managing Madrid.
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