Aguirre sets Atlético agenda

Club Atlético de Madrid coach Javier Aguirre knows his side are "entering a very important phase" as they prepare to welcome Valencia CF to the Spanish capital on Sunday – the start of a pivotal week.

Challenge
Aguirre finished seventh in his debut season at the Vicente Calderón and began this term with the simple aim of improving on that return while negotiating a first UEFA Cup foray in eight years. With Atlético fourth in Spain and through to the UEFA Cup last 32 it is a case of so far, so good, yet the former Mexico national team manager knows it will count for nothing if that form does not continue. "The players have shown they have clear goals in their heads," said Aguirre. "In a short space of time we'll be playing for a lot, though. In the league we face teams like Valencia and Real Madrid [CF] and we also have key matches coming up in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup."

Cup hopes
Their UEFA Cup meeting with Bolton Wanderers FC kicks off in mid-February, so for the next month the sole focus will be on domestic matters. First up Valencia, then Real Valladolid CF for the second leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 meeting - Thursday's first leg ended in a 0-0 draw - before the Madrid derby at the Vicente Calderón, and Aguirre knows he must beware of fatigue: "We'll be trying to share out the minutes among the players as much as possible; I think our squad is well balanced and able to deal with it."

Striking partnership
Well balanced it may be but an undeniable factor in Atlético's success this term has been a potent partnership between Diego Forlán and Agüero, players Aguirre says "look as though they've been playing together for years". The duo have registered 15 between them in the league this season, fed by a productive supply line of Luis García, Raúl García and Simão, and will need to be firing on all cylinders when Valencia arrive on Sunday keen to give a better account of themselves in the second half of the season than they have in the first.

Valencia task
Seventh, Valencia are nevertheless just seven points off a coveted top-four spot and coach Ronald Koeman will be aware that their record on the road has, at least, been impressive – Aguirre for one, is taking nothing for granted. "Valencia will be battling with us for the rest of the season," said the 50-year-old, who guided CA Osasuna to a highly creditable fourth-place finish in 2006. "I was surprised that they drew 0-0 with [UD] Levante last week but it shows that you can't write off any team." That includes Atlético.