Spanish and European champions Real Madrid were invincible last season, except for the games they played against city rivals Atletico Madrid. The only feats that Los Blancos suffered were two inflicted by Diego Simeone’s team, which will entertain Real Madrid on Sunday for a hot La Liga derby. Atletico was the last team to beat Madrid in the league over a year, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men 39 games unbeaten since that loss.
Additionally, the Rojiblancos booted Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey this time in January 2024 in the round of 16, which is the only loss Madrid has suffered in this calendar year thus far.
MBappe Kylian summer signing star of Real Madrid denies the team after suffering a thigh injury during the midweek win over Alaves, although, a gamut of attacking stars is still available.
When it comes to abusive comments directed at Atletico’s supporters, it’s Junior Vinicius who is oftentimes the subject of verbal attacks, nevertheless, Very much so ahead of the derby, the Brazilian forward has been in great form, and forward Jude Bellingham might be burdened with more offensive duties.
For Ancelotti, there is also the young striker Endrick who has so far shown his quality off the bench whenever he is called upon.
Real Madrid may opt to switch back to the 4-4-2 formation where Luka Modric can also fit in as an additional midfielder, instead of maintaining the 4-3-3 system that has been employed so far to lessen the impact of Atletico on Madrid.
When the season began almost a year ago, Madrid could only manage a draw against Mallorca and Las Palmas in the first three league games. Now, Los Blancos have rattled five wins in a row in all competitions.
Ancelotti was quoted this week as saying: “We are improving, and that is good for us as the schedule is quite hectic.”
“We’ve been able to recover quite well, and we intend to carry on like that going into Sunday’s match, which is going to be very challenging.”
The second-placed Madrid are in a four-point gap to the first-placed Barcelona and it might even be seven by the time the derby begins as Hansi Flick’s charges play against Osasuna on Saturday.
Atletico are two points off the pace of Los Blancos heading into the encounter after a lucky last-gasp 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo courtesy of a Julian Alvarez goal in the 90th minute.
“It’s a massive game for all of us… This week and this match are for preparation and strategy regarding the forthcoming events and the league in general,” Alvarez said in an interview.
After Substituted for the match against Celta, the forward could start with coach Simeone having used Alvarez in many positions to this far.
“He’s able to play in more than one position; he can operate as a striker, or even in the middle of the pitch, which allows us to use him differently,” the coach noted.
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