Real Madrid brace for red-hot Atletico in critical derby test

DESPITE sitting top of La Liga, reigning champions Real Madrid may feel like they have a lot to prove when they host Atletico Madrid on Saturday (Sunday 4 am kick-off, Singapore time) with their in-form city rivals eager to seize the momentum in the title race and leapfrog them in the table.

Real have failed to beat any of their top-four rivals this season and head into the latest derby searching for a statement victory to silence some of their doubters.

It will be the first of two massive challenges facing Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the coming days, as they are travelling to England next week for the first leg of their Champions League playoff clash at Manchester City.

Beating Diego Simeone’s Atletico this weekend could be a turning point for Ancelotti’s team, who have been under scrutiny for their inconsistent form as they seek to defend their titles in both competitions.

Defeats to AC Milan and Liverpool in the Champions League hurt, but they were more severely exposed in two thrashings handed out by old rivals Barcelona. A 4-0 loss at home in the league and a 5-1 demolition in the Spanish Super Cup raised questions as to whether Real had it in them to defend their European and domestic crowns.

Imperious form

Real have 49 points in La Liga, one more than a red-hot Atletico, who have been in imperious form, winning 19 of their last 21 games in all competitions.

Sterling performances from Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul have earned Atletico big wins at Barcelona and Paris St Germain, while Diego Simeone’s side have arguably been playing some of the best football on the continent over the last few months.

While Real failed to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League, Atletico earned direct access to the last 16 after finishing in fifth place in the league-phase table.

They will also have recent history on their side when they step onto the Santiago Bernabeu pitch. Real have won only one of their last six capital derbies, a 5-3 extra-time victory in last-year’s Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Atletico also handed Real their only two defeats of a near-perfect 2023-24 season in which they won the La Liga and Champions League double.

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A win at the Bernabeu would give Atletico the advantage in the table at a crucial stage of the campaign, with Real under pressure having to play two extra playoff games to stay alive in the Champions League while struggling with several injuries sustained to key defensive players.

Already missing both defensive stalwart Dani Carvajal and Brazil centre back Eder Militao for the season with torn anterior cruciate ligaments, Ancelotti then lost Antonio Ruediger and David Alaba with leg muscle injuries.

The Italian coach gave 20-year-old Jacobo Ramon his first senior start alongside fellow academy player Raul Asencio in Real’s 3-2 Copa del Rey win at Leganes on Wednesday, but Ancelotti has tended to use midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni at centre back to cover for his injured stars.

Lurking in third place are Barcelona, three points behind Atletico and on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They travel to 12th-placed Sevilla on Sunday (Feb 9).

Bidding good-bye

Meanwhile, former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday after a trophy-laden career.

The 36-year-old spent 16 years at the Spanish giants, winning six La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies.

“At 18, Real Madrid came knocking on my door and I arrived here,” Marcelo said in a video posted on social media. “Now, I can proudly say that I am a true ‘Madrileno’. What a journey. Real Madrid is a unique club.”

Marcelo enjoyed a strong relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, lifting four Champions Leagues with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The pair both scored in the 2014 final victory over Atletico Madrid when Real ended a 12-year wait for their 10th European Cup.

Marcelo also won the Copa del Rey twice and the Club World Cup four times during his time with Los Blancos, for whom he made 386 appearances, scoring 26 goals.

“One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time,” said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. “He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”

Marcelo was an unused substitute in the 2022 Champions League final when his compatriot Vinicius Junior scored the only goal against Liverpool.

Marcelo made 58 appearances for the Brazil national team, playing at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and winning the 2013 Confederations Cup. He was part of the teams that won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in Beijing in 2008.

Marcelo started his career with Brazilian club Fluminense before leaving for Real. When he finally left the Bernabeu, he joined Greek club Olympiakos but terminated his contract after just five months to rejoin Fluminense.

Marcelo helped his home team win the Copa Libertadores for the first time with victory over Boca Juniors in the 2023 final. He left the club by mutual consent last November and has not played since.