Forlan's Mexican rave
Last updated: 13th February 2008
Forlan: backing his coach
Sometimes when the team is not playing well, someone needs to have all the guilt and being the coach, he's always going to be in the spotlight. That's the only thing, for me, that can explain it.
Diego Forlan
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Diego Forlan told Revista Javier Aguirre is the man to lead Atletico Madrid to the Champions League.
The men from Vicente Calderon are currently occupying the all-important fourth place in La Liga following Sunday's 2-0 win at Racing Santander.
It has not stopped the Spanish press piling the pressure on Aguirre - and suggesting that Villarreal's Manuel Pellegrini is ready to take over in the capital.
But Forlan, who scored both goals at Santander, says the Mexican manager is doing a great job and that Atletico can make the Champions League for the first time in their history.
"I never read the press, I try to keep away from all those rumours and just keep playing," he said.
"Sometimes you hear from people that they don't want Javier Aguirre and I don't understand because the team is doing well. As I said the other day, sometimes when the team is not playing well, someone needs to have all the guilt and being the coach, he's always going to be in the spotlight. That's the only thing, for me, that can explain it.
"Of course everyone wants to be in the Champions League but as you can see every weekend, the league is very tough and every team can beat every team.
"At the moment we are in a good position behind Villarreal and last Sunday was crucial because we needed to put some distance between ourselves and Sevilla. We know at the end of the season, they are going to be near.
Prepare
"I think Espanyol are going to be there - they are only playing for La Liga and they will have more time to prepare. Valencia also and maybe Sevilla. They are in the Champions League but they have a really strong squad. I think Sevilla, Espanyol, Villarreal, us and Racing are going to be playing for those two spots.
"We know it's going to be really tough. It's going to be three hard months of doing our best and trying to win to get into that position. It's going to be really difficult."
Forlan did admit that he was surprised that Pellegrini is still in charge at Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarines are third in the table a point ahead of Atletico, and says their former striker, Champions League football again could keep the Chilean where he is - and away from the Vicente Calderon.
"When I was there before, I thought he was going to leave because he always said he didn't want to stay with the same team for more than three years, and it's going to be four years now since he signed for Villarreal," he said.
Pressure
"They're a great team, with great players and great directors and it's a great place to live. The weather is perfect, there's no pressure, it's really good for everyone. I don't know if he wants to move or not, I guess it depends on how they finish the season."
Forlan has now scored nine league goals this season after being crowned Pichichi with 25 for Villarreal last term.
His brace against Santander were his first goals for eight weeks, but his record of 63 in 123 La Liga games is a far cry from his days in the Premier League.
The Uruguayan denies he has a point to prove in English football, but did admit that if the chance came up to return - and the offer was right for Atletico - he would love another bite of the cherry.
"I don't think I have a point to prove," he said. "As I said before, when I was there I was in a great team and the gaffer had faith in me. I knew there were great players in front of me and it was not that easy to play, so I decided to leave because I wanted to play football and didn't want to stay on the bench.
"In England I didn't have that chance, but if there is a chance to come back and the offer is really good for me and the team I would have to think about it. I enjoyed living and playing in England, so it's still an option."
