Zaragoza ready for six-pointer

Real Zaragoza and Club Atlético de Madrid will have one eye on Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League place when they meet in Sunday's big game in Spain.

Madrid spot
Currently lying fifth and sixth in the Primera División, level on 43 points, the two sides are on target for UEFA Cup qualification. However, with inconsistent Madrid only two points above them, a UEFA Champions League slot may yet be the reward for the victors at La Romareda.

Milito menace
Zaragoza possess one of the most dangerous strikers in Spain in Diego Milito. With 17 goals, the 27-year-old Argentinian is the division's second-top scorer behind Sevilla FC's Frédéric Kanouté thanks to some great support from Sergio García, Pablo Aimar and Andrés D'Alessandro. Last term, Ewerthon was Milito's main partner, with the two sharing 27 strikes, and the Brazilian is desperate to revive the partnership after playing just ten times alongside his old foil this season. "I am working hard to get back in the first XI. I want to play and score goals," he said. "This match is a six-pointer and we have to win to keep our UEFA Champions League dream alive."

Anniversary celebration
Zaragoza will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their foundation on Sunday, though Atlético will hope to spoil the party. Fernando Torres and Sergio Agüero are themselves a dangerous pairing, with a combined 14 Primera División goals so far, as coach Javier Aguirre revives the Rojiblancos' fortunes. Having arrived from CA Osasuna last summer, the Mexican is looking to secure Atlético's best finish since they ended the 1996/97 campaign in fifth position. The club are also eager to return to European competition after losing to countrymen Villarreal CF in the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup final.

'Good enough'
Defender Luis Perea, who should overcome an ankle sprain to play, thinks it is time Atlético proved their worth. "We've been inconsistent in the league but we can still finish in the top four," he said. "We have a good enough team to play in the UEFA Champions League." The onus will be on the visitors to show that when they take the field in Zaragoza this weekend.