Atlético faces test of title intent

The biggest game of the weekend — although the Spanish press will go out of its way to build up the Real Madrid-Zaragoza match as such, or the equally nail-biting Barcelona-Celta — is undoubtedly the one involving the capital's traditional second side.

Laboring under the shadow of its more illustrious neighbor has become the norm for Atlético, but this season something is in the air around southern Madrid, and it does not stem from the nearby Manzanares river. It is the sweet aroma of optimism, a rare bouquet indeed in the crumbling Calderón stadium. Atlético is unbeaten so far this season in all competitions and stands joint leader of the division. In August, Diego Simeone's side thrashed European champion Chelsea in the Supercup. Right now, it seems that anything is possible; cautious whispers of a title tilt are gaining volume.

Of course, it would be a miracle if any side other than Real or Barça lifts the trophy next May. Simeone has performed wonders with the side over the course of the past year, but the Argentinean is not yet able to turn water into wine. Third is probably the best Atlético can aspire to — although its home record against Barcelona is quite good, and surely the 13-year derby jinx against Real cannot last forever — and so games like Saturday's against Valencia at Mestalla are ones that Atlético must win; Simeone's side has only faced Málaga thus far among its potential direct rivals.

Valencia has been Spain's third team for the best part of a decade, since its double Champions League final appearance at the turn of the century to its hegemony of the bronze medal spot under Unai Emery. But Los Che are in transition, with a new coach, a selling policy that robbed it of the sublime talent of Juan Mata last year and Spain left back Jordi Alba in the summer, and is leakier than a Welsh sieve at the back. Little wonder then that Mauricio Pellegrino's side lies 11th, between Valladolid and Mallorca.

"It will be a great game for everyone," said Simeone's compatriot and former national teammate. "It will be a good opportunity for us to show what we are capable of. [Atlético] has started the season well. It's not just coincidence. It's the fruit of team work and not just one player. It will be a strong adversary and a good test for us."

Both teams have a striker in sumptuous form: Radamel Falcao for Atlético, who has scored 13 so far this season, including two hat-tricks, and Roberto Soldado for Valencia, who has six in 11 games, including a Champions League treble against Bate Borisov.

Meanwhile, Leo Messi's long wait for the birth of his son, Thiago, came to an end Friday but Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said that the forward would be available to play against Celta. "In principle he'll be available for the match," Vilanova, a former Celta player himself, said. "It won't change anything that he hasn't trained for one day; it's not significant."

The opening match of the weekend pits Málaga against Rayo at La Rosaleda, as Manuel Pellegrini's team aims to maintain its one-point advantage over fourth-placed Real.