News from the Bernabeu and the Calderón
On this page we have an overview of the three main professional football clubs in the Madrid communidad.
During seasons 2006/07 and 2007/08 Madrid Uno reported on every match, following the fortunes of Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid. You can see reports for La Liga Season 2007/08 here and reports for La Liga Season 2006/07 here.
Madrid's Three Professional Clubs
Real are usually more concerned with beating Barca, but the derby with Atlético is also muy importante. And then there is Getafe CF, a team from the suburbs that has become a minor force in Spanish football.
- Real Madrid
- Club Atlético de Madrid
- Getafe CF
Our Heroes. These guys play in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Their current coach, who arrived for season 2007/08, is Bernd Schuster, an ex-player at Real and previously coach at Getafe, who replaced championship winning Capello, now with England. Universally disliked by supporters of all the other Spanish clubs (and Man U) Madridistas don't really care, considering themselves far too important to be troubled by what other aficis may or may not think. This mindset is the key to understanding how to follow Los Blancos. The chairman of the club is Ramón Calderón, a real 'silver fox' and a canny operator.
These chaps play in the Estadio Vicente Calderón which is located by the banks of the River Manzanares and is currently surrounded by massive road and underground railway works. The stadium has a capacity of 55,000 and was given the UEFA 5 star stadium rating in 2003. Often referred to as the rojiblancos (red and whites) us Real supporters call them Los Colchoneros (the mattress makers) and treat them as would a patronising sophisticated uncle his simple country cousin (hehe).
Originally a small town outside the city, Getafe has grown into a virtual suburb of Madrid, and at the same time its football club has established itself within the Spanish Primera Liga. Considered by Madrileños as 'our plucky little third club' most everyone has a soft spot for them - as long as they lose their mini-derby matches. Their stadium is the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez and they're also referred to as el Geta.