Atletico turn to Resino to revive Champions League hopes

Atletico Madrid may still be in the money-spinning Champions League, but on the domestic front they are in crisis without a win in 2009 giving them an uphill task to match last season?s top four finish.

Mexican Javier Aguirre paid the price for the club’s downturn when he was sacked as coach on Monday and former Atletico goalkeeper Abel Resino has been appointed on a six-month contract and takes charge for Sunday?s match at Recreativo Huelva.

The 49-year-old Resino, who arrives from second division side Castellon, is seen by many as a stop-gap, but if he can push Atletico into the Champions League places he could make the job his.

“We have a great squad and the logical thing is for us to be in the top four,” said Resino.

“We have a lot of quality but need to believe in ourselves again. We need to restore confidence.”

Atletico have slumped to seventh with two points from 15 since the turn of the year and trail fourth-placed Valencia by five points.

City neighbours Real Madrid had a similar crisis this season when they sacked Bernd Schuster, but his replacement Juande Ramos has got the champions back on the right path with six straight league wins.

Despite the impressive sequence, Real still sit 12 points behind pacesetters Barcelona and need to beat Racing Santander at home on Saturday to keep up the chase.

Ramos made his second signing before the transfer window closed and it came as a surprise with few predicting French winger Julien Faubert?s loan move from West Ham.

“I have five months to show what I can do,” explained Faubert. “It?s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Faubert, 25, joined West Ham from Bordeaux for close to nine million euros but was hindered by injuries during his time in England.

Real captain Raul will hope Faubert can supply more ammunition as he looks to set a new club goal-scoring record after equalling Alfredo di Stefano?s total of 307 goals last Saturday.

Raul, 31, looks as fit as ever but the former Spain international admits he is pondering bringing the curtain down on his career.

“I have two more years on my contract and I think I will have to start thinking about my future when the following season ends,” said Raul.

“I get closer to retirement each year but I think I can still play at the level required for another two or three years.”

Real may be on a roll with 18 points from their last six matches but they have not made a dent in Barcelona’s 12-point lead.

Sporting Gijon are Barcelona’s next opponents at Camp Nou on Sunday and they will hope Barcelona?s defensive crisis could give them a chance.

Centre-backs Gerard Pique and Rafael Marquez are suspended, following red cards in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Racing, while captain Carles Puyol is out injured, leaving manager Pep Guardiola trying to assemble a makeshift defence.

But Barcelona do have a fit and in-form Lionel Messi who took his season?s tally to 16 with a brace against Racing despite starting as a substitute.

“I don’t want to put pressure on Messi, but you have to say it, he is very similar to (Diego) Maradona, the best player I have ever seen,” said Thierry Henry. “It is normal to depend on Messi but we are not going to die without him, even if it is better to have him on the pitch.”

Elsewhere, third-placed Sevilla host a freefalling Real Betis on Saturday in a hotly-contested derby.

Fixtures

Saturday

Real Madrid v Racing Santander, Sevilla v Real Betis

Sunday

Malaga v Almeria, Valladolid v Athletic Bilbao, Recreativo Huelva v Atletico Madrid, Getafe v Espanyol, Villarreal v Numancia, Real Mallorca v Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona v Sporting Gijon, Osasuna v Valencia