It is time for the Madrid derby as Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid prepare to host Real Madrid who have been on a winning streak.
Real Madrid will hit the road to square up against City rivals Atletico Madrid. The team in white will aim for their sixth consecutive win in the league as they look to maintain their dominance at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s men will look to return to winning ways after a disappointing draw against Lazio last time out.
Atletico Madrid have not had the best of starts this season. They are currently seveth in the league with just seven points in four games. They have managed to win twice so far in the season. Their last league outing was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Valencia, and they will surely look to put a better show against Los Blancos.
They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against Lazio where they conceded in added time. Diego Simeone’s men were not at their best against the Italian club and they will hope for a much better day at the office when they host their rivals.
Real Madrid are in red-hot form. They have won all of their matches so far this season. They have five wins in five league games and are comfortable sitting at the top of the points table. Their last league outing was a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile, they are heading into the Madrid Derby on the back of a 1-0 win over Union Berlin. They might not be playing the best football they can but the team in white are doing just enough to get the right result and they would love to finish on the right side even in this fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will be without the services of Thomas Lemar, Caglar Soyuncu, Reinildo, and Pablo Barrios for the Madrid derby.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul, Koke and Memphis Depay face a race against time to be fit for this fixture. They will have a late fitness test and could end up featuring against Real Madrid. With Barrios out injured De Paul could make it to the starting XI if he manages to clear the fitness tests.
📡🎥 #𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛
🎙🗞 ¡@Simeone comparece ante los medios de comunicación en la sala de prensa de Majadahonda!
https://t.co/FSECT9SSJH— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 23, 2023
The home team are expected to go ahead with the 3-5-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. The back three will consist of Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez and Mario Hermoso. They will have the support of wing-backs Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino.
In the centre of the park, De Paul could start alongside Marcos Llorente and Saul Niguez. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and not allow Real Madrid midfielders to dominate the ball. As far as the attack is concerned, Antoine Griezmann will pair up with former Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, Saul, Llorente, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will once again be without the services of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao because of knee injuries. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal is out because of a muscular injury. Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior have returned from injury. The Brazilian is a part of the squad but Guler has been left out to ensure that is not being rushed back on.
While there are doubts about the availability of Jude Bellingham because he left training early on Friday due to a stomach ache, the England international returned to training on Saturday and will most likely start the game.
🔃 #RMCity 🔃 pic.twitter.com/daIYvo4v0Q
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 23, 2023
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to stick with the 4-4-2 formation, where Kepa Arrizabalaga will be in goal. Lucas Vazquez is likely to continue as the right-back, while Fran Garcia will return to the starting XI as the left-sided full-back. In the heart of the defence, Antonio Rüdiger will pair up with David Alaba.
Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni will start as the defensive midfielder. He will have the support of Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga on either side. And, Jude Bellingham is expected to be the attacking midfielder just behind the two forwards. Vinicius might be back, but he won’t be risked from the start, Joselu will continue alongside Brazilian sensation Rodrygo Goes.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have the second-best defence in the league having conceded just four goals while Real Madrid have the third-best attack with 10 goals in 5 games.
- The visitors have a goal difference of 7 while the home team has a goal difference of 6.
- Los Blancos have taken a total of 83 shots in their five games and are leading the charts in that perspective.
- Bellingham is leading the charts for Real Madrid with six goal contributions in the league.
- Morata will be the key man for the home team with four goal contributions.
Player to Watch
Joselu
Joselu has been in fine form since joining Real Madrid on loan. The 33-year-old is leaving his dream of playing for Los Blancos, and he already has three goal contributions in five league outings.
The Spanish international might not have found the back of the net against Union Berlin in the Champions League opener. But he came close on multiple occasions and Joselu will be eager to get his name on the scoresheet once again. And, given the importance of this fixture, he would be eager to be the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
Madrid derby always tends to be a closely fought encounter. Both teams will be eager to come out on top and both have some world-class players in their ranks. While Real Madrid have not been at their best of late, they have somehow managed to win games.
Given their recent form, they might have the edge over their city rivals Atletico who are heading into this encounter on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Lazio in the Champions League. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid 2:1