Real Madrid-Atlético de Madrid, for the Copa del Rey: Simeone, De Paul, Molina and Correa, all or nothing against the rival of a lifetime

With the appeal of a one-game draw, the danger of saying goodbye to two games in January for the real Madrid or miss the chance to fight for any title in the season of Atletico Madridthe great derby of madrid comes in the return of football to the stadium Santiago Bernabéu after 77 days of lights out. The match is played from 5:00 pm (Argentina time) with exclusive DirecTV broadcast.

They will light up again in a stadium carrying on his pharaonic work for one of those signature games of the year. An always special derby that acquires greater significance by leaving in a King’s Cup from which no one wants to say goodbye.

Never considered an important title in the white house, but one they want to fight for in the present, as they demonstrated by coming from two goals against La Cerámica when they were presumed dead. Of greater importance for an Atlético de Madrid who said goodbye to the fight for the championship and the ‘Champions’ much earlier than expected. All to one letter in the house of the great enemy.

The symptoms have changed in a Real Madrid that was heading towards the crisis. The Villarreal championship and the bad physical sensations that a team transmitted in its lowest moment of the course was joined by the beating of the classic Spanish Super Cup. When he found himself on the ropes, he brought out that special competitive gene. The comeback against La Cerámica in the round of 16, down 2-0 at half-time, was the reaction I expected Charles Ancelotti after taking a coach stroke.

‘Carletto’ has made decisions that renew trust and remove any kind of doubt that could arise for the one who won everything along the way. the bet of camavinga As a midfielder, the increase in defensive competitiveness with Nacho, the transition to the freshness and hunger of Dani Ceballos or Marco Asensio. Elections that sent legends to the bench as it is not easy to sit down Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

No one doubts the ownership of both in the derby, however much Ancelotti speaks “model transition”. It has to be sweet, with the atmosphere they created last season in the locker room as a transcendental value for success.

From the union of a squad that mixes the survivors of a golden era (four Champions Leagues in five years), with constantly growing young values. Like Camavinga, whose demonstration as a San Mamés midfielder prevents the return of Aurélien Tchouamenirecently recovered from his muscle injury.

The injuries of Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez will give continuity to the “pessimistic” defender on the right wing, as his coach calls him. Nacho with the continuity he demanded, away from his favorite region where competition is fierce. Ready to reappear David Alaba after his soleus problem and fighting for a place with an erratic Rüdiger.

In duels of greatness Ancelotti is used to reinforcing his midfield with a fourth player, at least in defensive duties, such as Fede Valverde. He would close the property door to Dani Ceballos after two good performances and to Marco Asensio. Given that in attack it is not negotiable in the presence of two players who will set the course of the season: Viniciusin the spotlight again for his behavior with rivals, e Karim Benzema coming close to his identity having scored in five of his last six matches, leaving injuries and the World Cup on the back burner.

Atlético, needy and growing

Reactivated by the resumption of competition after the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Atletico Madrid he needs the Copa del Rey. Since 2013, when he won his last tournament title against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, he hasn’t felt so attracted to her, because she was competing for the championship -he is now excluded- and the Champions League, from which he is eliminated in the first phase. Derailed by those goals, he is left with the Cup.

The reaction of the team Diego Simon is visible, with six wins in their last eight competitive games, with the only defeat against Barcelona, ​​​​​​which they have at least equaled, and with the only draw against Almería, which they would have overcome with a punch more in line with the appearance of their strikers, which he found against Valladolid.

Last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat is a boost for Atlético, who come to the Santiago Bernabéu more clinging to their past, the 2013 Copa del Rey, their qualification for that same tournament in 2015, their victories there in La Liga in 2015, 2016 and 2017, which at present, because he hasn’t won in Madrid in any of his last seven appointments, the last four without a single goal, with the notable exception of Antoni Griezmann.

The author of the last three goals for the rojiblancos in that stadium is also the most differential factor that has Simeone’s current Atlético, initially without Marcos Llorente, out of contention in the derby due to an adductor injury, but determined in advance in the semi-final and in his bet, according to the tests, for the 4-3-3 with three forwards that today arouses more conviction in the team: Ángel Correa, Álvaro Morata and Griezmann.

Atlético need the punch he showed against Valladolid, inspiration also for the French footballer, predictably joined in midfield by Rodrigo de Paul, who is emerging as a substitute for Llorente, Koke Resurrection and Thomas Lemarwith the alternative that the muscle of Geoffrey Kondogbia. It’s another possibility.

by Paul It is one of the two substitutions foreseen in the eleven. The other will be in defense, with the return of Stefan Savic -sanctioned in the last two matches of LaLiga Santander- or José María Giménez. One of the two will play alongside Mario Hermoso. to the right will be Nahuel Molina; on the left Reinido Mandava, with Sergio Reguilón spot on, as another option.

at the replacement points Memphis DePay, Atlético’s latest signing, making his debut last Saturday against Valladolid, with details that promise much more in the future, as soon as he adapts tactically and physically to Diego Simeone’s scheme, who will be protected in his goal at the Bernabéu by Jan Oblak. The Slovenian goalkeeper kept clean sheets in two of his ten derbies that stage.

– Probable formations:

real Madrid: Courteous; Nacho, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos, Modric; Fede Valverde, Vinicio, Benzema.

Atletico Madrid:cloud; Molina, Savic or Gimenez, Hermoso, Reinildo; From Paul, Koke, Lemar or Kondogbia; Correa, Morata, Griezmann.

Referee: Soto Grado (Riojan Committee).

Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Now: 9:00 am.

Source: EFE