Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Gimenez hails in-form Falcao - 7M sport

Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Gimenez hails in-form Falcao



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Posted Sunday, September 16, 2012 by PA

Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Dani Gimenez believes he could be facing the best out-and-out goalscorer in the business on Sunday if he gets the nod to play against derby rivals Atletico Madrid.

Gimenez replaced Ruben Martinez in Rayo's last game against Sevilla after the first-choice keeper was sent off, and he could retain his spot for the short hop across the capital to take on Atletico.

If he does start, the 29-year-old expects to be kept busy as Atletico boast one of the game's most prolific strikers in Radamel Falcao - who just happens to be in red-hot form right now as well.

Falcao scored back-to-back hat-tricks against Athletic Bilbao and Chelsea immediately prior to the international break, and then found the back of the net for Colombia in both their World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Chile.

Gimenez knows full well what he could come up against, saying: "Falcao is one of the best strikers in the world, he's in great form and one of Atletico's best chances of doing something great depends on him, even though they are a good team with great players.

"Falcao is another style of player, a pure centre-forward, a goalscorer.

"Obviously everyone talks a lot about (Lionel) Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Falcao is not at that level because he does less things, but in what he does he's the best."

Rayo have had a good start with two victories and a draw from their three matches leaving them fourth in the standings.

Atletico have also hit the ground running with fours points from two games plus a 4-1 demolition of Champions League winners Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup.

Falcao scored a first-half treble in that match and Atletico will be hoping he shows no ill-effects following his return from international duty.

If there are any doubts about the 26-year-old, then Diego Costa would relish the chance to face a club he holds dear to his heart following a successful loan stint at Vallecas last season.

Costa missed the first half of the 2011/12 campaign with a serious knee injury but Rayo took a risk on him in January on the Brazil international repaid their faith by scoring 10 times in 16 league appearances .

However, Costa concedes Falcao will start if he is available, saying: "The coach (Diego Simeone) always puts out the best team for every game. Independent of anything else he knows that Falcao, whether he's playing good or bad, if he has a chance he will put it away."



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