La Liga, Atletico vs Real: Preview, Dream11 and more
La Liga braces for a cracking Madrid derby on Saturday with Atletico hosting arch-rivals Real. Real are top of the 2019-20 season table with 14 points from six matches. Atletico are a point below on third. It is crucial for both teams to get the maximum from this high-octane clash. Ahead of the 223rd Madrid derby, we present the match preview.
⚽💭 Fully focused on the derby 💪
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 26, 2019
🔜 #AtletiRealMadrid
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🔴⚪#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/5P12thuinQ
For Atletico, Vitolo is set to feature out wide for the injured Thomas Lemar. Alvaro Morata will miss the match after being handed a red card on Wednesday. Real will be without Ferland Mendy (groin problem) and Marcelo is a doubt as well. Therefore, Nacho might fill in as the left-back. Luka Modric is likely to return and be a central figure in mid-field.
Atletico have a sturdy mid-field comprising of Saul Niguez, Koke and Thomas Partey. They will be crucial to keeping things in control and maintaining the flow. The defense has not leaked many goals as usual and to hold the likes of Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will be a stern test. Diego Simeone needs to be spot on with this tactics.
Atletico's Jan Oblak leads the line in goal. He gets protection from a four-man defense. Kieran Trippier and Dani Carvajal are the full-backs. Raphael Varane and Giminez form the central partnership. The mid-field consists of Casemiro and Saul. Hazard (vice-captain) and Bale provide the width in attack. Joao Felix (captain) comes in as the number 10. Vinicius Junior is the main forward.
Real will be dependent on their front three to cause issues for Atletico. One will hope to see the quality of someone like an Eden Hazard. He can cause real issues for Atletico. Meanwhile, Bale is the in-form player and his presence can lift Real.
The match will be telecast live on the Sony Ten Network. It is scheduled for a 12:30 AM IST start on Sunday. The match can also be streamed live on Facebook. This is the 165th La Liga match between the two. Real have won 87, whereas, Atletico have pocketed 39 victories. 38 matches have ended in a draw.
