Madrid, December 11, : .Sunday’s Madrid derby at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid is one of most significant games in this season and may help determine the title winners.
Defending champions Atletico travel to the Bernabeu 10 points behind their neighbours and although they have a game in hand over Real Madrid, defeat would all but end their title defense.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone saw his side win 3-1 away to Porto on Tuesday night to assure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but Atletico have been irregular in front of goal all campaign, while their defense has lacked the reliability that has been their trademark in recent years.
Simeone’s injury to Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic, key central defenders, isn’t helping.First choice right back Kieran trippier, Sime Vrsaljko (who broke his jaw in Porto) are also out of action.
Luis Suarez is also unlikely to be fit, which should give the more mobile Angel Correa the chance to start, while Mario Hermoso should partner Felipe in central defense, with Geoffrey Kondogbia playing in a defensive midfield role, reports Xinhua.
Real Madrid have been virtually unstoppable in recent weeks and although their performances haven’t always been as good as their results, someone has always stepped forward to decide games in their favour, be it (former Atletico) goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois or strikers Karim Benzema or Vinicius Jr.
Benzema will be unable to play in Sunday’s match due to a muscle injury he suffered last weekend in San Sebastian.However, Benzema could still make it on the bench.
Luka Jovic, who scored and established a goal for the Frenchman a week earlier, is a doubt.
Marco Asensio has also showed signs of recovering his best form in recent games and is another player who can score a goal out of virtually nothing.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is likely to stick with his first-choice side, which will see David Alaba and Eder Militao in central defense behind Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos with Vinicius Jr, Asensio and probably Jovic in attack.
Real Madrid will win if they do.With Barca in turmoil, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them from achieving another title.
bsk
#Liga #Madrid #derby #involved #preview #Unstoppable
