18 Yard Box looks at who will be the winners in the first Madrid Derby of the season.
The
Madrid derby headlines this weekend's La Liga action as there is much more at
stake than local bragging rights. The two sides square off on Saturday at
the Santiago Bernabeu with Atletico finding themselves in the unusual position
of being the side currently ahead in the table. Los Merengues could not have
fathomed a worse start to their campaign. Atletico have dropped just four
points all season while their fierce rivals have already succumbed to three
losses, the latest one taking place over the weekend away at Real
Betis. The Madrid derby, though, may be the wake-up call that Mourinho’s
men need to not only regain their supremacy in Madrid but also to contend
for the La Liga title.
18 Yard Box has a look at this enigmatic clash between the Spanish sides.
Atletico
Madrid
If coach
Diego Simeone was not already a hero to Atletico Madrid fans, victory in
Saturday's La Liga clash at bitter city rivals Real for the first time in more
than a decade might just tip the balance. Atletico certainly couldn’t ask to be
in better shape for such an examination. They limbered up with a spectacular
4-0 dismissal of Sevilla last week. The Europa League champions are three
points behind league leaders Barcelona after 13 matches and, unbelievably for
many of their long-suffering supporters, eight ahead of stuttering Real, who
slipped to a third defeat of the campaign at Real Betis last weekend that left
their title defence in serious peril.
Strengths
The key
man for Atletico is Radamel Falcao. The striker is in red-hot form, with
10 goals to his name so far. With a number of big European sides reportedly
ready to win his signature, a good showing against Real will only increase
his already high stock price further. The Turkish playmaker Arda Turan is also having an
impressive season, linking well with Falcao and scoring goals of his own while
the defensive line has a solidity that has been sorely lacking in recent years.
 |
| The Colombian has been in staggering form |
Weakness
The only
thing that at this point seems to be in favour of Real Madrid is history.
Atletico are playing great counter attacking football but they don’t have a
star studded midfield as compared to that of Real’s. Dictation of play will be
by Real throughout the game as Atletico lacks players who can stay up well
with the ball and play the passing game. Since the game is being played at the
Bernabeu, Real will be holding to the ball with their dear lives.
Real
Madrid
Real's
Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho was whistled by some sections of the Bernabeu
crowd during Tuesday's Cup victory and their reaction on Saturday will be
closely watched. The team's erratic form has prompted speculation the former
Inter Milan and Chelsea manager will not last the season.
Strengths
Real
boast a league of international stars and are widely considered as one of the
best teams in European football. Mourinho and company are desperate for a win. A
midfield having the likes of Ozil, Di Maria and Xabi Alonso would prove to be a
handful for the visitors. Xabi Alonso will be the key as he will be dictating
terms throughout the game. Despite the lack of form in last few matches, Real
will be highly counting on Alonso to prove to be the catalyst of change.
 |
| Alonso has been Madrid's linchpin |
Weakness
Cristiano
Ronaldo's tapering form is partly to blame for Real's woes. The 27-year-old has
failed to find the net in his past few games for his club scoring only once in
the last six occasions. While that doesn't mean he is in crisis, goals will
nevertheless take some pressure off his shoulders. The forward partners of
Ronaldo comprising of Hinguain Or Benzema don’t look to be firing on all cylinders
at the moment too. Hard to
believe this is the same forward line that scored more than a 100 goals in the
previous season. Mourinho’s man need to put on the best display of the season
as yet to prove what made them the League Champions last season.
 |
| CR7 needs to step up now |
Tactical
Analysis
Transitions
in play are going to be crucial in this match. When Atletico lose the ball in
the Real half they will press hard and fast, looking to regain possession
swiftly, but if they fail to do so, they will swiftly get back into position.
These
will be the moments in the game when Real Madrid will be able to unleash their
awesome counter-attacking weapons. There will be space for Cristiano Ronaldo
and Angel Di Maria to burst into, but it won’t be there for long as Atletico
would be quick to get back into their positions. This is where Xabi Alonso’s
passing will be crucial. If he’s able to release the ball quickly and
accurately after a turnover, he can be the man who springs the killer thrust
into Atletico’s half before they’ve regained their defensive shape.
Turan
will be particularly important, not only because his energy can help restrict
Xabi, but because he is Radamel Falcao’s most creative partner. The Turk can
drift into dangerous areas of the pitch and is a
creative force on the wings. Even if it is not him pressuring Xabi on the ball,
watch out for where he is. If the ball is won back in the Real half with Turan
in a position where he can hurt Real, if fed quickly, he can trouble Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Final
Verdict
If his
track record has proven anything, Mourinho’s Real Madrid side will be
tactically prepared to grind out the three points. A win or even a draw on
Saturday could spell the end of Real's hopes of a second straight La Liga
title. The last time Atletico won the Madrid derby was back in 1999 under the
coach Claudo Raneri and since then Real has been on an unbeaten streak of 23
games in the Madrid Derby. Last season both the Madrid derbies were won by Real
with the same score line 4-1 with Ronaldo bagging a hatrick in one of them. Atletico have to overcome the weight of history if they are to defeat their
neighbours. But at present a Real victory is more than imminent.
Written By,
Syed Munneb Iqbal
Muneeb is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
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