Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabéu. The two eternal rivals have met once before this season in the UEFA Super Cup. Atletico took home the trophy after tallying the winning goal in extra-time. Now facing Real Madrid in La Liga, things will be much different.
After a midweek set of fixtures, La Liga’s title race is wide open. Barcelona lost to bottom team Leganes, Real Madrid were throttled by fifth place Sevilla, and Atletico moved up to third with a win.
Barcelona’s loss once again showed the team’s reliance on Lionel Messi, who for a second straight game couldn’t pull his teammates to victory. Barcelona have dropped five of their last six points and either Real Madrid or Atletico can benefit this weekend.
Atletico got off to a slow start in the league. But summer transfers are now gelling and Diego Simeone’s team is getting results. Atletico are undefeated in their last three games with two goals or more scored in each. Once again, the Mattress Makers are built on defence. Atletico have conceded a mere four goals in six games.
Before Real Madrid’s embarrassing 3-0 loss to Sevilla in midweek, they had allowed just three scores. Now, Real Madrid are reeling as they head home for the derby. Julen Lopetegui’s team have won all three home matches in La Liga this term. Los Blancos have scored seven goals and conceded just one at home.
Atletico have not beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in their last three trips in all competitions. They have been outscored 5-2 by Real Madrid in those three meetings. Last season, the sides played two draws with just two goals scored over the 180 minutes.
Lopetegui has serious injuries to worry about. Full-back Marcelo is a doubt for the game after suffering a muscle injury against Sevilla. He will join Isco on the sidelines after the midfielder had his appendix removed earlier in the week. Real Madrid lack a true replacement for Marcelo and Atletico could focus their attacks down the right-hand side.
Atletico have received a boast with defender Jose Gimenez back in training this week. Simeone has no other injuries to worry about for the team’s trip across town.
Real Madrid may be missing two key players, but Lopetegui will get a response from his team after Wednesday’s loss. Real Madrid will win against their city rivals as they put goals past goalkeeper Jan Oblak on Saturday night.