Three years ago Diego Simeone was roaring Espanyol on in this fixture. I mean ROARING. Glued to his television in Argentina he knew that Gregorio Manazano was on the verge of being sacked and the he was next in line. Espanyol gave Atlético a good rogering, Manzano’s team lost the next one limply and Simeone took over just in time for Christmas. A shedload of trophies, a Champions League final and consecutive wins at the Bernabú later Atlético fans have reason to be thankful [part three] to Espanyol.

However, today, Simeone is roaring AT his players.

It’s a Messianic micro-climate at Atleti. Players believe 110%, GIVE 110% or they can kiss his loyalty [and their place in the team goodbye]. Last time out they were pumped [for fifteen minutes] at Valencia but thereafter played well, might have drawn – but didn’t. In Messianic football environments – under Mourinho, under Guardiola, under Luis Enrique … under Simeone – international breaks are to be feared and hated. Not just for injury, nor tiredness/jet-lag. But because players relax. They see international team mates, they shrug off the harness of club responsibility and often it takes them a week or so to: ‘get in character’ again. [Copyright ® Jules Winfield, our man in Inglewood]

So when he didn’t like Atleti’s training intensity this week their volatile Argentinian leader ripped into them. “Your national teams matter **** all to me. “ANYONE I feel isn’t showing enough attitude and intensity will be dropped, no matter who it is!”

Means it too. So here’s your dilemma. In picking a result which is more likely a) he’s hammered them as a precautionary measure based on the fifteen dozy minutes in Valencia and nearly two weeks away on international duty or b) there’s a serious problem and Espanyol have a serious shout of an upset?

Atleti keeper Miguel Angel Moyà admitted yesterday: “In the dressing room here they’ve warned me that Espanyol’s a team we traditionally find very hard to beat”.

I bet on a). Espanyol are beginning to show stamina and character, Kiko Casilla is in a sweet spot and Sergio Garcia always responds to big games like this. But the champions to edge it, possibly 2-1. Right time for Raúl Garcia and Arda to come to the party.

• Atletico Madrid 1/3, Espanyol 10/1, Draw 7/2: Bet Now

DEPORTIVO v VALENCIA – Sunday, 4pm

And on the subject of times gone by….. In 1992 Nuno Espirito Santo met a disco manager in Porto. Name of Mendes, Jorge Mendes. Licensed to sell drinks then. Players now. Four years later Nuno become Mendes’ first client, Depo signed him … and after a decent career here Nuno is – still a client of the, now, most powerful agent in the world, coach of Valencia and about to inflict damage on poor old Depo.

Paco Alcácer can’t stop scoring or making, Valencia play with energy and fluency, Los Che haven’t lost here since 2003 – six wins and two draws making up that record. André Gomes trained apart over the last couple of days but should be fit to emphasize his importance in midfield again. Depo have a decent sized injury list, are rock bottom and defeat could, feasibly, mean ‘Adios’ for Victor Fernandez. If Valencia wish to fulfil their no1 aim of being in the Champions League next season this MUST be an automatic three points for Nuno’s boys. Rodrigo, Alcácer both look like banker scorers but Los Che have ten different players, defence, midfield and attack, who’ve scored in La Liga. Take your pick.

• Deportivo 10/3, Valencia 5/6, Draw 5/2: Bet Now

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Liverpool’s

The Reds sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish last week following a disappointing Premier League campaign and immediately begun an exhaustive search for a new man.

Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, Frank De Boer and, in the past 24 hours, Andre Villas-Boas (4/1) have all apparently been ruled out of the equation for a job that might look attractive but has so far failed to generate too much concrete interest.

Liverpool have been given permission to speak to Wigan boss Martinez but his current holiday has so far prevented the Spaniard from having an official interview, although that is likely to be forthcoming next week upon his return.

Latics owner Dave Whelan has said he wants a resolution to the situation within a week of his manager’s return on Tuesday and insists it is not a foregone conclusion Martinez will depart, amid ongoing interest from Aston Villa as well.

However, the former Swansea boss seems a good fit for Anfield, despite lukewarm appreciation of his talents from the Liverpool fans so far. He satisfies FSG’s edict of a young, hungry coach capable of building a lasting legacy and his attacking, attractive footballing philosophy is apparently exactly what John W Henry and co are after.

He has yet to be tested at a big club, though, and that remains the big risk in appointing the still relatively inexperienced 38-year-old. There is also a nagging fear that his impressive reputation may have been cultivated by a talkative Whelan, keen to ensure he secures a decent compensation figure when he does depart the DW when, in reality, he has struggled with relegation in consecutive seasons at Wigan.

So, while Martinez remains the clear favourite, perhaps the smart money should be on former Ajax, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Holland boss van Gaal getting the job.

If you believe the reports, Liverpool want him on board in a new Director of Football role but the 60-year-old is thought to be keen to take the manager’s job himself.

His CV is certainly impressive; winning the Dutch league three times with Ajax and once with AZ, the Spanish title twice while at Barca and the German Bundesliga once at Bayern. He also won the Champions League when in his native Holland in 1995 and has several domestic cups to his extensive honours list.

He is clearly a winner and has the credentials and also favours an attacking style of football, but his age may go against him in the final reckoning and the Director of Football position might not appeal if he wants the top job.

Outsiders at this stage include Rodgers (7/1), former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard (12/1) and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (16/1), who, despite holding plenty of fans’ support, is nowhere near even being considered it seems.

FSG are edging closer to an appointment, then, but it could still take a couple of weeks before the new man, charged with no less than getting the Reds back into top four next term, is known.

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