The season’s third Madrid Derby takes place on Sunday night, when Real Madrid host Atlético de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Atlético (17-6-5, 57 points) have been focused on the cup competitions for several weeks; Diego Simeone has been using the league games to manage his squad and rotate between his A- and B-teams. After his side eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Simeone will take charge of his 50th derby, hoping to see his Atleti side extend their unbeaten
streak in the league against Real Madrid to seven derbies.
However, Simeone may keep his rotation policy somewhat in place on Sunday night, even though his side could seriously disrupt Real Madrid’s season with a first win at the Bernabéu for 10 years. It would also move Atleti to within six points of second place with head-to-head advantage over Los Blancos secured.
Madrid (21-3-4, 66 points) could fall seven points behind leaders FC Barcelona with a loss, while a draw would keep Álvaro Arbeloa’s men six points behind their Clásico rivals with nine rounds remaining. Since Xabi Alonso’s January dismissal, Madrid have suffered an embarrassing Copa del Rey elimination under former Castilla coach Arbeloa, but Madrid have won four in a row — including both legs of their Champions League last 16 tie against continental rivals Manchester City.
Team news
Cholo Simeone on Saturday heavily implied that he would rotate his team in the derby — perhaps a logical decision due to the fixture congestion. Sunday will mark Atlético’s 15th game in 45 calendar across LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
Jan Oblak will miss his third consecutive game due to a muscle strain, leaving Juan Musso the chance to continue his clean sheet streak in LaLiga. Marc Pubill is unlikely to play as the defender continues to recover from a rib injury. Matteo Ruggeri trained Saturday in the gym, placing his own status for the derby in some doubt. Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza remain out.
Simeone left no clues for a possible lineup during Saturday’s main training session. F.J. Díaz wrote in Diario AS that Álex Baena and Alexander Sørloth could come into the 11, possibly replacing midweek starters Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman. Koke’s minutes continue to be carefully managed; I would not be surprised if the captain started, but it will depend on Simeone’s comfort level with Nahuel Molina on Vinícius Júnior’s flank.
Possible 11 Musso; Molina, Giménez, Hancko, Ruggeri; Johnny, Llorente, Giuliano, Baena; Alvarez, Sørloth.
