Atletico v Madrid: Morata, Courtois highlight Madrid derby
Former Chelsea players, Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata will be the highlight of the 2019 Madrid derby as Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium Today.
With Thibaut Courtois now with Real Madrid having previously played for Atletico Madrid and Alvaro Morata now with Atletico Madrid having previously played for Real Madrid both players will play key roles if selected.
The Madrid Derby is now upon us, the second biggest derby in Spain behind the El classico, both Madrid teams have had mixed results this season.
Real Madrid have been consistent since they were beaten by Real Sociedad in January 6, they have gone on to win 4 games in a row in Laliga for the first time this season.
For ATLETICO, their situation havent changed much has they continue to have mixed results, they’ve only won 2 matches from the last 4 matches and they are just 2 point ahead of Madrid.
Real Madrid will be on revenge mission after losing 4-2 against ATLETICO in the Super cup in August and nothing but a win will satisfy Real Madrid in this game.
Atletico have been Barcelona’s closest challengers in the league this season, but their defeat at Real Betis last weekend meant that Los Blancos have the chance to rise into second position in Spain’s top flight.
Fatigue might well come into play this weekend as Madrid have played a lot of football in recent weeks, but Los Blancos are full of confidence and will be desperate to return to second position in the table.
Key players for both teams: REAL Madrid will hope to have Vinicious Junior on his best today if they are to get anything from this game while ATLETICO will hope on the efficiency of Griezmann to dispatch any chance that gets to him.
Team News: Atletico captain Diego Godin missed the defeat at Betis last weekend with a muscular problem, but should return to the XI for this match.
Meanwhile, Koke and Saul Niguez should also be fit having also missed the defeat at Betis through injury.
Costa is still unavailable, however, as he recovers from foot surgery, while Stefan Savic’s absence with an Achilles problem means that Jose Gimenez will continue in central defence.
Thomas Partey and Rodri Hernandez will both continue in midfield for the home team, while Morata is expected to start against his former club.
As for Real Madrid, Jesus Vallejo and Enzo Zidane are still out with hamstring problems, while Marcos Llorente will miss out with the groin problem that he suffered against Barcelona.
It is likely that Solari will start Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale who didn’t start in the midweek clash against Barcelona.
The midfield picks itself with Casemiro joining Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, but considering how Marcelo struggled against Barcelona, Sergio Reguilon could return to the side at left-back.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Arias, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas Hernandez; Koke, Thomas, Rodri, Saul; Griezmann, Morata
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; vinicious junior, Benzema, Lucas
Predication: Atletico Madrid 1 Real Madrid 1
Time: 4:15pm
By: Achomadu Onyinye
