Real Madrid can tighten their stranglehold at the top of La Liga on Saturday, when they welcome city rivals Atletico Madrid to the Santiago Bernabeu.
A 4-2 win over Leganes on Wednesday for Zinedine Zidane’s men keeps them two points clear of Barcelona having played a game less than their bitter enemies. With just nine games to play for Los Blancos, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that they’ll slip up in pursuit of the title.
If they are going to surrender their strong position, Atletico need to turn in a big performance here. While it’s too late for Diego Simeone’s side to force their way back into the reckoning for the crown, they’re in sensational form heading into this one, winning their last five in succession to overtake Sevilla in third place.
Although both sides have UEFA Champions League commitments in the coming days, there’ll be no dwindling focus when they walk out at the Santiago Bernabeu; with the potential for another Champions League meeting between the two sides further down the line, there’s a chance to gain an edge in what’s become a fascinating rivalry.
SEE MORE: Schedule of La Liga on US TV and streaming
Indeed, although Real Madrid have got the better of their rivals in recent finals and in the previous meeting at the Vicente Calderon, in La Liga Atletico have won on their last three visits to the Bernabeu. If Zidane’s men can put an end to that run, then the title is surely theirs.
With third place looking secure, Atletico can approach this one without pressure. That’ll make for a fascinating afternoon in the Spanish capital.
Where to watch the game on US TV and streaming
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Time: 3:15 p.m. (BST), 4:15 p.m. (Local), 10:15 a.m. (ET)
US TV: beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español
US Streaming: Sling World Sports and fuboTV (free trial)
Real Madrid
On the cusp of a defining spell in Real’s season, Zidane took the opportunity to rest some key players on Wednesday night against Leganes. Those who came in delivered.
Alvaro Morata made his case for a starting berth with a hat-trick, while the prodigious Marco Asensio dazzled with some wonderful dribbling and incisive passing. It was another win at a potentially testing venue and another crucial step towards their first league title since 2012.
Crucially, Zidane will be able to call upon some fresh legs on Saturday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale not needed in midweek. It’s a measure of the depth Real have at their disposal and at the end of what has been a draining campaign, that extra energy those men possess could prove to be crucial.
What will be intriguing is how Madrid line up in the middle of the park. Casemiro was back from suspension in midweek and so often Zidane turns to the combative Brazilian in games like this. However, Isco continues to shine in 2017 when given a chance and made his case to stay in the team with a brilliant performance against Alaves at the weekend.
Indeed, the Spain international was on song when Atletico were trounced 3-0 at the Calderon earlier in the campaign. But it was Ronaldo who grabbed the headlines for Madrid, netting all three goals in a memorable win.
It’s that kind of performance that’s come to epitomize Real under Zidane—organized, committed and defensively diligent. Yet crucially, the world-class talent bristling in the front three is enough to win any game. It’d be no surprise if they were to do so once again here.
Atletico Madrid
Although Simeone will be disappointed that his team haven’t been able to mount a title challenge of major clout this season, Atletico look as though they’re coming into form at the right time this season.
That’s a major positive with their Champions League hopes in mind and the Rojiblancos will fancy their chances of overhauling Leicester City in the first leg on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Atletico manager will be well aware of what a victory here would do for the confidence of his side heading into this critical point in the season.
After all, Tuesday’s 1-0 win against a handy Real Sociedad team was their fifth in succession in La Liga, pushing them three points clear of a toiling Sevilla side in third.
The man that’s been inspiring Atletico in recent weeks has been Antoine Griezmann. The French forward may have been linked with a move away from the club for almost the entirety of the campaign, but he’s really come into his own as of late. Griezmann’s ability to create, dribble and score goals makes him one of the standout players in La Liga as things stand.
What also makes Atletico a frightful proposition at this point is the variety of firepower Simeone can call upon. Aside from Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro, Andrea Correa, Fernando Torres and Yannick Carrasco are all adept at swinging a match the way of their team.
The test for Simeone in games against Real has always been getting that balance right, between packing his XI with match-winners and ensuring defensive cohesion is preserved. With a potential Champions League meeting to come later in the season, this is another opportunity to get it right against their city rivals.
Predicted lineups
Key Battle – Karim Benzema vs. Diego Godin & Stefan Savic
Of Madrid’s three-pronged attack, Benzema is the man that receives the least amount of acclaim. But his job at the point of the team will be crucial against a pair of outstanding centre-backs in Diego Godin and Stefan Savic.
Benzema lacks the explosiveness of Bale and the predatory instincts of Ronaldo, but he’s an excellent foil for both of those men. The Frenchman runs the channels, can take the ball with his back to goal and brings others into the game too; he also has a habit of chipping in with some big contributions.
Godin and Savic will be the men seeking to stem his influence. After some inconsistent form earlier in the season, the former has been at his brutish best again in recent weeks, while Savic has usurped Jose Maria Gimenez as Godin’s regular partner with a string of astute displays.
The Atletico duo will be under heavy pressure in this one and must ensure they remain disciplined under a tide of all-white attacks. Should those standards drop off at all, Benzema is the kind of player that can punish them.
