Real Madrid will look to extend their unbeaten run to 22 games when they face Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico Madrid will look to avenge the loss that they suffered in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final at the hands of Real Madrid when they face Carlo Ancelotti’s men for the second time in just over a week. While the semi-final was a closely fought encounter, the team in white eventually came out on top and they will be hoping for something similar this time out in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Diego Simeone’s team have not been at their best in the 2023/24 season. They have been a touch inconsistent, which is why they are fifth in the league, 11 points behind league leaders Girona with a game in hand. It has not clicked for Atletico Madrid, but a win over city rivals Real Madrid can surely bring things back on track.
They defeated Lugo 3-1 in the Round of 32 to make it to this stage. But, Atletico Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of the 5-3 defeat at the hands of the team in white. As a result, it won’t be easy for them to go beyond this round.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have been a dominant force this season. They have not lost in their last 21 outings, and their only defeat of the season came at the hands of Atletico Madrid back in September. They are second in the league, one point behind Girona, although they have a game in hand.
Los Blancos are heading into this one at the back of a dominating 4-1 win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. They were on another level and if they put up a similar performance, chances of them winning are very high.
With Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid set to square up for the second time in just over a week, it will be interesting to see if Simeone’s team can avenge the previous defeat or Los Blancos continue their dominance. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Thomas Lemar and Vitolo are out injured for Diego Simeone’s team. Reinildo Mandava is unavailable because he is on international duty. Meanwhile, Memphis Depay and Pablo Barrios’s involvement will depend on their level of fitness.
Simeone won’t be making wholesale changes to the XI that lost to Real Madrid. He will stick to the 3-5-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. The three centre-backs will be Axel Witsel, Jose Maria Gimenez, and Mario Hermoso. They will look to keep things tight at the back and they will have the support of Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino, who will feature as the wing-backs.
Rodrigo De Paul will start alongside Koke and Saul Niguez in the centre of the park. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game and ensure Real Madrid midfielders do not end up dominating proceedings. As far as the attack is concerned, it will be the in-form duo of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann
Real Madrid
While there are concerns over the fitness of Aurelien Tchouameni, he is expected to be back in time for this fixture. But, Carlo Ancelotti still might not risk him from the start. Real Madrid will once again be without the services of Lucas Vazquez alongside three of their players who fell victim to ACL injuries: Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and David Alaba.
Ancelotti will stick to the same formation (4-4-2 midfield diamond), and the majority of the personnel used will also be the same. Kepa Arrizabalaga will be benched for Andriy Lunin as confirmed by the manager.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will continue as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Antonio Rudiger will pair up with Nacho Fernandez. The four will look to keep things tight at the back and give their team a solid base to push from.
Eduardo Camavinga will replace Tchouameni in the starting XI as the defensive midfielder. He will start alongside Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde. The trio will look to make sure they outnumber the opposition in the centre of the park with the help of Jude Bellingham who will feature as the attacking midfielder.
Rodrygo Goes will most likely start on the bench as Ancelotti will look to rotate and start Joselu alongside Vinicius Junior.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr.
Key Stats
- Out of the 234 matches played between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the team in white have won 116 while Atletico have 58 wins to their name.
- Atletico Madrid have won two, lost two and drawn one out of their last five matches.
- Los Blancos have won each of their last seven matches.
- Diego Simeone’s team have only lost one out of their last three matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Real Madrid have been unbeaten in their last 21 matches. They have won 18 and drawn the remaining three.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
The 23-year-old Brazilian sensation has been on fire since returning from injury. He has turned things around and has been doing wonders for his team. Vinicius is heading into this fixture on the back of a first-half hattrick against Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Given the kind of performance he put up last time out, the Brazil international will be confident of getting the job done against Atletico Madrid.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
The scales tip in favour of the unbeaten Los Blancos, who have showcased dominance throughout the season, including a recent 4-1 triumph over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Despite Atletico Madrid seeking redemption after a 5-3 defeat to their city rivals, Real Madrid’s formidable lineup, featuring the in-form Vinicius Junior, poses a significant threat. It will be a closely contested affair, but as per The Hard Tackle, the team in white might win 2-1 on the night.
