Behind The Scenes

Big kicks in Spain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-pkJSQkiXo

For Alberto Cacho, this month spent in Spain is a homecoming.

The ESPN Deportes coordinating producer is a native of Madrid. A big soccer fan, he’s got a dream assignment: Overseeing coverage of two Barcelona-Real Madrid soccer matches in a span of five days.

The first matchup of this “Clasico” takes place Saturday as Real Madrid plays host (4 p.m. ET on ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com). Paced by scoring machine Lionel Messi (48 goals), Barcelona owns a five match winning streak over Real Madrid.

Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will try to thrill the home crowd with an upset and then hope to strike again when the sides meet in Valencia, Spain on Wednesday.

“Worldwide, this is much anticipated. You’re talking 400 million people are going to be watching this
[Saturday game] alone,” said Cacho, who has been with ESPN nearly six years. “The World Cup final drew 700 million. ”

Cacho is taking Deportes’ daily soccer show Fuera de Juego on the road. The show will offer full circle coverage of both matches, including 90-minute pre-game shows.

“For the first time, we’re taking a mobile studio and parking it outside Real Madrid’s stadium. You’re talking about a whole production.  We’ve got 20 people traveling from Miami, Mexico and Bristol, plus with local people, we’ve got about 50 people working on the production,” Cacho said.

Sunday, the production team moves about 300 miles to Valencia for the rematch Wednesday.

Is Cacho torn in matchup of two of the world’s best soccer sides, played on his home soil?

“I am from Madrid but my team is Atletico Madrid,” he said. “Not good.”

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