Tonight Chapin will see security the like of which it has never seen before. Local derbies against Cadiz will have provoked increased police presence in the past, but the visit of Cristiano Ronaldo and company will surpass even the strictest measures seen at Xerez, as they host Real Madrid for the first time in their history. But whilst there is unlikely to be any problems in that regard, Real Madrid are seriously concerned about the state of the Chapin pitch. As you can see from the photo, it's seen better days, and is certainly no pitch for first division football. But they should count themselves lucky, they only have to play on it once. Xerez have to play on it every other week. But to say thats the main reason for their demise this season would be churlish. Goals, or a lack of, is the reason they are where they are. Gonzalo Higuaín has scored the same amount of goals this year than the whole of the Xerez squad. Although with 4 goals in their last two matches, there is reason for optimism within the blue army ranks.
Tonight sees the return of Cristiano Ronaldo who has been suspended for the last two league matches. Madrid achieved six points out of six in that time with convincing wins against Depor and Getafe, but even so all eyes will be, and have been, on CR9 after a turbulent couple of weeks following his run in with Mtiligas face. But his return is soured by an injury crisis that has robbed the Madrileños of several players. Real Madrid come to town minus Karim Benzema, Guti, Pepe, Rafeal Van der Vaart and Gago. Still, with a midfield diamond of Kaká, Xabi Alonso, Granero and Lass topped off with Higuain and Ronaldo up top, they are a match for any side in world football, let alone little Xerez.
So can Xerez do the unthinkable and beat Real Madrid? To be fair to my adopted team, even a draw would be a spectacular result. It says it all when you think that last summer, as Real Madrid were chasing the biggest names in football, Xerez were looking to contract a gardener. Looking at the state of the grass, they didnt break the bank with that signing. The pace and trickery of Momo and Carlos Calvo will be vital, as they look to exploit Marcelos positional frailty and Arbeloas lack of speed. My new hero Sidi Keita will need to be at his hustling best, throwing himself into tackles as his life depended on it as he attempts to stem the creativity of Alonso and Kaka. Mario Bermejo simply cannot let a chance go begging and the defensive line cannot go to sleep as they have so many times this season. The pitch will play a huge role, as it almost converts the game into a cup tie, and we all know what happened to Real Madrid when they made that fateful journey down the A5 to Alcorcón in October. The upper realms of the club have let us down again, charging a ridiculous €55 for entry to season-ticket holders, but one things for sure, the players will do us proud. Let the battle commence.