Following on from El Clásico, it’s now time for the derby as Real Madrid face the second of three successive big away assignments.


After playing out a draw at the Camp Nou and four days ahead of their visit to Ajax, the Whites’ attentions are now focused on the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano. This encounter represents yet another extremely demanding game, in which second spot in the LaLiga standings is up for stake. Should they take maximum points, Santiago Solari’s charges would leapfrog Atlético in the table.

The team head into the derby clash in fine fettle as far as both performances and results are concerned. Currently riding a six-game unbeaten streak across LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, the Whites this afternoon go in search of a fifth straight league win. “We’re on a very good run at this stage of the season and we’ll have to show all of our intensity, energy and good football and take charge from the word go”, declared Solari in the build-up.

20-man squad
The Madrid boss has named a 20-man squad for this contest. Raphaël Varane and Dani Carvajal, who both served suspensions against Alavés, come back into the fray. Meanwhile, another man taking his place in the squad is Vinicius Jr., who made his Real Madrid debut in the reverse fixture. Since then, the Brazilian’s stock has grown and he has been one of the key factors in the madridistas’ fine recent run of form.

For their part, Atlético come into the derby looking to maintain their unbeaten home record this term. Indeed, the hosts are the side to have collected the most points on their own patch in LaLiga, with nine wins and two defeats to their name. Los Rojiblancos came off second best in their trip to Betis last time out, and having already been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, they weren’t in action in midweek. Antoine Griezmann is Atlético’s top scorer in LaLiga with 10 goals.

Evenly matched
As is usually the case when the sides meet, we’re expecting a high intensity and hard-fought battle between two teams who know each other inside out. As proof of this, we only have to look to the last four meetings, all of which ended honours even. Real Madrid, who have claimed a win and two draws in the most recent league derbies played in the Rojiblancos’ backyard, will be hoping to maintain the form shown in recent weeks. Everything’s set for this blockbuster bout which will determine who occupies second spot.