PREVIEW: VILLAREAL - NUMANCIA David Smith - Saturday, September 20, 2008
A week after making his impressive debut in La Liga, Josmer Altidore and Villarreal travel north for a possibly tricky encounter against recently-promoted Numancia on Sunday.
Altidore made his debut as a halftime substitute in last week's game against Deportivo, putting in an energetic performance which was lauded by fans and experts alike.
While failing to find his way onto the score sheet, he looked every bit the dangerous attacker with a sharp nose for the goal as coach Manuel Pellegrini could hope from the young forward. Not expected to start on Sunday, Altidore could represent an important option for Pellegrini when the need to inject some second-half bite into the game arises.
Enjoying their first appearance in the top flight since the 2004/05 season, Numancia has shown that they have no plans for a quick relegation, as was their fate following their previous three single-season runs in La Liga.
They have already faced down the aristocracy of the league, notching up a stunning opening week victory against Barcelona, then subsequently pushing champions Real Madrid to the limit in last week's 4-3 loss in Madrid.
In facing perhaps the toughest season opening in La Liga, squaring off against three consecutive Champions League-bound opponents, Croatian coach Sergio Kresic's men have performed admirably and are currently sitting in ninth place.
Sixth place Villarreal seems to be hitting their stride following last week's victory over Deportivo and a remarkable midweek tie in Champions League play at Manchester United, snapping United's 12-game home winning streak in European competition.
While Pellegrini will still be without the services of Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci who is still recovering from injury, he will be pleased to have Italian Giuseppe Rossi available at full fitness for the first time this season.
Uruguayan international defender Diego Godín is also returning following missing last week due to a red card suspension.
Currently visting YA: 117 
See these related articles
