Torres out to rewrite recent Madrid derby history

MADRID, Sep 28 (Reuters) Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres is keen to break his duck against city rivals Real Madrid when the sides meet in the Bernabeu on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Spain international has top scored for Atletico in each of the last four seasons and bagged six goals in four games against Barcelona but has never found the net against his club's biggest rivals.

''I hope I can change this bad run I have against Real and finally score a goal,'' Torres said in an interview with sports daily AS.

Atletico have not beaten Real since October 1999 when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored twice in a 3-1 win in the Bernabeu.

But under new coach Javier Aguirre, Atletico have made their best start to a season since the double winning year of 1996 with nine points from a possible 12 so far.

On top of that, they are unbeaten in seven away matches since falling 2-1 to Real in March.

''Atletico just need a good result to change the recent history of the derbies. Now is a good moment to play them,'' Torres added.

''They like to play on the counter, like us, bt at home they have to take the initiative and this will leave us more space to attack.'' Second-placed Real have one more point than their neighbours but also enter the game in high spirits after crushing Dynamo Kiev 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Jose Antonio Reyes's impressive recent form looks likely to put David Beckham on the bench once again, while the reappearance of striker Ronaldo as a substitute on Tuesday, will be of concern to visiting fans.

The Brazilian has an knack of scoring goals against Atletico.

ETO'O INJURY Leaders Barcelona are favourites to see off an Athletic Bilbao side suffering an institutional and sporting crisis, when they meet in San Mames on Saturday.

But they they will be deprived of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o who suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw away to Werder Bremen in the Champions League and looks likely to be out for two to three months.

Barca's hosts are 18th in the 20-team table and have yet to win a game this season.

Under pressure from fans, Bilbao president Fernando Lamikiz resigned on Wednesday to be replaced by Ana Urkijo, in an attempt to bring some stability to the Basque club.

Third-placed Valencia continued their good run of form with a 2-1 win over AS Roma in the Champions League yesterday and will provide a stern test for promoted Gimnastic Tarragona.

Valencia are unbeaten this season and have won every home game.

UEFA Cup holders Sevilla, who are fourth, lost their first game in 13 outings last weekend and will be looking to get back on track against visitors Getafe.

REUTERS DH KN1547