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photo by storem	via PhotoRee

I watched Atleti take on Malaga in the absence of EPL action Sunday. While it wasn't the match I hoped to be witnessing -- that one would have pitted a certain team from Manchester against a fourth place side from London -- it served as an interesting diversion from the snowed-out schedule (or lack of) that the EPL served up this weekend.



Actually the match also served as a respite from the horrid football -- NFL style -- that I unfortunately saw first hand earlier in the day, while watching the Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills. The Fins managed to run their standard offense fairly consistently today -- 3 runs and a punt -- on their way to another home loss in a season that is ending yet again in bitter disappointment and finger-pointing.



Atleti served up a better game, though, with a 3-1 victory that may take some of the pressure off embattled coach Quique Sanchez Flores. Diego Forlan was dropped from the Atleti starting lineup, and Reyes was a welcome return with the warm weather being judged to suit his style better than the last time we saw Atleti -- in their disappointing and snowy mid-week exit from the Europa League.



The sight of the lush green pitch at Malaga's Rose Garden -- located in the heart of Spain's Costa del Sol mediterranean vacation land -- was a stark contrast to the muted brownish-green grass of the English winter. The game's style also served a harsh contrast to that of its English relative, and seemingly matched its location, played at the leisurely mañana pace of a land accustomed to vacationers. Both sides were content in the first half to play languid, ticky-tack football, with long arcing crosses interrupting the tight, controlled passes from time to time; beautiful to watch, but a very different sort of game than that featuring the more direct style preferred in the EPL (often referred to derisively as "over the top" football).



Baby, it's Cold Outside, and Potentially Suspect Crocked Ankles, The Sequel

photo by woodleywonderworks	via PhotoRee

Before we turn our (fleeting) attention toward a feast of Spanish football, let's at least touch on the latest Wayne Rooney conspiracy theory:  anyone else thinking it's slightly strange that Manchester United have chosen to send our formerly beloved striker all the way to Beaverton, Oregon to undergo physical therapy on his damaged ankle?  First, Rooney's rehab included a week of poolside cocktailing in Dubai.  Next, his suggested routine includes flying 10 hours to the west coast of America, and spending Saturday to Saturday (missing two more game days) in splendid isolation.  Does this remind anyone of trying to keep the crazy uncle locked in the closet upstairs when entertaining guests?  Okay, maybe that's just my family, but I think you get my point....  Can it be that Roo is on his way out, and that they are trying to keep him out of sight until the deed is done?  Who knows, but it's an awfully suspicious therapy routine he's undergoing at present -- just sayin'.


Let's move onto bigger and better things, as La Liga giants (okay, that may be a slight exaggeration)  and farlieonfootie favorites Atletico Madrid take on Norwegian worldbeaters (okay, that's a definite exaggeration) Rosenborg in Europa League action.   Welcome to autumn football in Norway, where even the hardy Norwegian fans are bundled up and shivering in pre-game crowd shots. I did take particular pleasure in seeing one fan attempting to keep warm by wearing a NY Mets ski cap -- that would be a collector's item even in Queens these days, but due to it's one-of-a-kind status here in Norway, would fetch a eye-popping value estimate on Trondheim's version of Antiques Road Show.

Atleti in their blue and red outfits look slightly Superman-ish tonight, which may or may not be a fitting description depending on which version of the Madrilleños decide to turn up.