Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Sunday in the La Liga. With 57 points from 22 games played so far this season, Real Madrid leads the La Liga standings, with Atletico sitting third, 10 points behind their rivals in the capital.
Preview (Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid)
Real Madrid defeated Getafe 2-0 on Thursday night, led by Joselu’s brace. It gave Carlo Ancelotti’s team its 18th La Liga victory of the season. Real Madrid will be coming into this match on Sunday. Los Blancos lead the division with 57 points, two points clear of Girona in second place. This season, the team has only lost one league game, away at Atletico on September 24. The club under coach Ancelotti has won six straight league games. They now face two important matches in the top division of Spain against Atletico and Girona.
Real Madrid will play Atletico four times this season. They lost to the Red and Whites 4-2 in the Copa del Rey on January 18. They defeated Diego Simeone’s team 5-3 in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals earlier in the month. With only 14 goals allowed this season, Los Blancos have unquestionably the greatest defensive record in La Liga. This is especially remarkable given that they have been missing first-choice center defender Eduardo Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to ACL injuries.
Before their match against Girona, Real Madrid will be aware of how important it is to win this game. The division leaders have excelled at home in the league this year. They have won nine and drawing one of their ten games. The only team to escape loss is Rayo Vallecano. Despite being mostly unnoticed this season, Atletico is having a fantastic season overall. They are currently in the last 16 of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey semifinals. With a five-game winning streak entering this match, Simeone’s team defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in their most recent league encounter to go up to 47 points from 22 games this season.
Team News
Due to a thigh issue that forced him from the field against Getafe on Thursday night, Real Madrid is worried about Antonio Rudiger’s fitness. He will now have a late check. Together with goalkeeper Courtois, fellow center-backs Militao and David Alaba are sidelined for an extended period due to major knee ailments. Despite scoring twice against Getafe, Joselu can find himself back on the bench. Following Thursday’s match, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, and Carvajal are also expected to return to the starting lineup.
Jose Gimenez, Caesar Azpilicueta, and Thomas Lemar are not available for selection for Atletico this weekend, but Alvaro Morata is making progress toward being well enough to play against his old team. Rodrigo De Paul, Antoine Griezmann, Samuel Lino, Nelson Molina, and Koke are all anticipated to start for head coach Simeone’s team against Rayo Vallecano. Simeone will also make several changes to the starting lineup. If Morata fails a late fitness test, Memphis Depay will attack alongside Griezmann.
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
For more football previews, click here
