Friday 18 November 2016

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups and preview

atleti-real-madrid

Never in the history of the rivalry between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have matches between the two sides been as fiercely contested as they are in this era.

Of course, thoughts immediately turn to the two UEFA Champions League finals they’ve played out, which Real have won on both occasions in dramatic fashion, but the La Liga tussles involving the two Madrid clubs are some of the most pulsating games in European football. Saturday’s, set to be the last in the league at the Vicente Calderon, will be some occasion.

Zinedine Zidane’s Los Blancos head to the home of their bitter rivals boasting a fine record in La Liga. Real lead the way, are unbeaten and arguably still have room for improvement. That’s ominous for the rest of the title challengers.

Atletico would have considered themselves in that category at the beginning of the campaign, but manager Diego Simeone will be aware that a defeat on Saturday would inflict critical damage on their title pursuit. Real would be nine points ahead of their neighbors if they notched a win.

There’s reason for Atletico to be confident in this contest, though. While they haven’t fared quite so well in continental competitions against Real, in the league it’s been a different story altogether, winning four and drawing two of the last six Madrid derbies. Their rivals have an injury crisis to negotiate too.

That’s a record Zidane will look to set straight and during his tenure as boss, so far he’s managed to set his side up well in one off encounters against elite opponents, something that was the foundation of their Champions League success last term. A fascinating derby is in store.

Where and when to watch the game on TV and streaming

Date: Saturday, November 19
Time: 2:45 p.m. (ET)
TV: beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en EspaƱol
Streaming: fuboTV (free 24-hour trial)

Match: Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
Genre: Sports
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Atletico Madrid

Early on in the La Liga season, Atletico looked well equipped to deal with any challenge. Simeone’s side were happy to go toe-to-toe in an attacking sense, although were always able to fall back on the steely determination and defensive foundation that’s underpinned their ascent.

However, they’ve fallen off the pace a little in recent weeks. The first signs of trouble came at Sevilla, were they were beaten 1-0, while their last match before the international break was a very disappointing 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad. For a manager like Simeone, that surely simply won’t do.

And as a result, we’ll likely see changes for the match against Real and a return to the formula that has served the Rojiblancos so well in derbies. In recent league matches Atletico have bullied their more illustrious rivals, outworking them in midfield, holding firm in defence and springing into action on the counter-attack with incision.

Plenty of these players know what’s needed to get over the line in these ferocious matches too. Antoine Griezmann has tormented Real on many an occasion, while defenders like Juanfran, Diego Godin and Filipe Luis have all fared well against the Los Blancos attacking stars. Getting the balance between the derby experience and fresh fearlessness will be important.

Atletico, having endured such a torrid overall record against their rivals, will be keen to give the Calderon one last positive memory against their rivals too. The atmosphere at this iconic venue should be a hostile one for the visitors to cope with as a result, while the home fans will also reportedly provide a spectacular backdrop in the form of an enormous tifo.

Simeone does potentially have a significant injury to contend with, as Griezmann pulled out of the France squad in the week; the forward is expected to win his fight to be fit, though.

Real Madrid

Although Real Madrid are European champions, unbeaten in La Liga and top of the table, many times this season we’ve been left craving more after watching Zidane’s side. As of yet, he’s yet to fully forge his Los Blancos identity.

At the moment, his modus operandi is simply winning. So often Madrid have been in tight contests under the Frenchman and so often Real edge it thanks to moment of individual inspiration. You sense that’ll be the masterplan in this one as the 11-time kings of the continent look to spoil the party on Saturday.

It’ll be a tough ask, though, even with Atletico short of their best in recent outings, as Zidane has plenty of key players absent through injury. Casemiro and Sergio Ramos could just make it, but Pepe, Toni Kroos, Alvaro Morata and Karim Benzema will all miss this one.

Subsequently, Zidane will have to divert from his usual blueprint in these matches, which has typically seen Casemiro anchor the midfield in place of a creative player; with the Brazilian absent, there’s no natural holding man in the squad.

There are also big decisions to make in the attacking third. While Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will play, two of Isco, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio will likely start this one; the manager will demand a lot of the attackers involved, both with and without possession.

Coping with the physicality and energy of Atletico without Casemiro, Pepe and potentially Ramos will be a major test for the visitors; the last time Raphael Varane and Nacho played together at centre-back in a derby was in 2015, when Atletico took Real apart 4-0 at the Calderon.

Predicted Lineups:

atleti-real-madrid-lineups

Key Battle – Filipe Luis vs. Gareth Bale

Although Ronaldo remains Real’s main goalscoring threat, he’s no longer the player that makes Madrid tick. That mantle now belongs to Bale.

Floating in from the right flank, the Welshman has caused enormous problems for defenses so far this season in La Liga with his powerful running, long-range shooting and willingness to relentlessly commit opponents. The man with the unenviable task of nullifying his impact is Atletico left-back Filipe Luis, although you sense it’s a challenge he will relish.

After a year-long switch to Chelsea, the Brazilian slotted back in brilliantly at the Calderon again last term, quickly reestablishing himself as the finest left-back in Spanish football. Luis is unbending in his defensive aptitude and can be a major threat in the final third too.

With Atletico likely to bunker in and soak up pressure here, Luis’ ability to close off those spaces Bale loves to drop into will be key. If he’s afforded space in dangerous positions, Bale can find a telling surge, conjure a brilliant cross or net a stunning goal that could turn what’s set to be a very even contest.

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