This weekend in La Liga promises to be en explosive one, as one of the biggest matches in all of Europe takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu.
El Derbi Madrileño ( The Madrid Derby) is one of the most prestigious derbies in the world of football, as both participants are two of the best clubs in Europe.
Real Madrid are defending European champions, while Atleti are defending Europe League and Super Cup champions, and both teams are among the favourites to triumph in this season’s La Liga. Real Madrid failed to capitalize on Barcelona’s capitulation in their 2-1 loss to Leganes midweek, as Los Blancos themselves put up a tepid display, consequently losing 3-0 to Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Atleti, on the other hand, who were already written out of the title race having dropped seven points in their opening five matches find themselves right back in title contention, following dropped points in back-to-back games by the El Clasico contenders, and would seek to draw blood from their capital rivals.
The avoid falling further behind Barcelona
Real Madrid has the most intense rivalry in football with FC Barcelona, cutting across just football and moving into far-reaching aspects such as socio-cultural and political divides.
Neither club wants to have any association with the other, and any triumph for the other is seen as a loss on the part of the other club.
Real Madrid doesn’t want to lose any title, especially if the trophy ends up being won by Barcelona, and it is this spirit of competition which has propelled both clubs into being the two most successful teams in history.
Barcelona have won three La Liga titles in the last four years, and Real Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League crowns came as scant consolations, as they always want to pip Barca to all trophies.
2 They quest for redemption
As stated earlier, Real Madrid lost in midweek to Sevilla. However, beyond the 3-0 loss, Real Madrid’s performance was so shambolic that doubts were raised over their credibility as genuine title contenders.
Their defence was torn to shreds as Ben Yedder, Jesus Navas and Andre Silva each had a field day, and could have made the scoreline much more embarrassing had they converted their chances.
Upfront, the story was pretty much the same, with Real Madrid’s attackers failing to turn up to the party, and leaving many to wonder if the club could adequately cope in the absence of record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
1 Desperate to halt their poor run of form against Atletico at the Bernabeu
Real have a superior record to Atletico Madrid, especially on the continent where they have triumphed over their city neighbours in two Champions League finals.
However, domestically it is a different proposition as Atleti find a way to up the ante in La Liga when facing their more illustrious neighbours, especially at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Simeone’s men are undefeated at the home ground of their rivals since 2013, winning three and drawing on each of the last two visits there.
This poor home record against Atleti must be playing at the back of every Real Madrid player’s mind, and the drive to reverse this tr