adminMADRID. — There is a much-loved saying in Spanish: there are never two without three — a saying Atletico Madrid are hoping will be fulfilled today.Diego Simeone’s tough team will be looking for their third win at the Estadio Bernabeu, home of neighbours Real, within 16 months, in what promises to be a fascinating Madrid derby.
Atletico did not manage to beat their illustrious crosstown rivals, for fully 14 years, from 1999 to 2013. This painful run finally came to an end in May 2013, when Simeone’s battlers won the cup final 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Atletico followed up four months later with a 1-0 league win at the Bernabeu, a result which put them on course for their first Liga triumph since 1996.
Not that Simeone’s fighters will be over-confident today.
“We will never have excessive confidence, not against Real or against anyone. The derby matches are closer nowadays than they used to be, since we ended our run of defeats,” Atletico’s right-back Juanfran said.
“Real have a great squad. The matches against them are intense and beautiful, with chances at either end . . . Some fans are saying it is easy for us to win in the Bernabeu nowadays, but I’m sure it won’t be.”
Atletico are sweating on the fitness of Turkish winger Arda Turan, who has not played since May.
Meanwhile, Real will be without Sami Khedira and Dani Carvajal, both injured in training with their national teams.
“We are not having much luck with injuries at the moment. Whenever a player of ours goes off to play for his country, he seems to come back injured,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said, who is starting to feel the heat after a 4-2 meltdown at Real Sociedad.
Raring to go will be Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed Portugal’s matches in order to fully recover from a thigh strain. Meanwhile, newcomer Javier Hernandez will be waiting on the subs’ bench in case Karim Benzema turns in yet another flat display.
Real are currently in 10th place, though just one point behind Atletico.
On top are revitalized Barcelona, the only team to win their first two matches.
Coach Luis Enrique will have to decide whether to stick by teenager Munir — who made his Spain debut against Macedonia on Monday — or opt for the fit-again Neymar today at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Neymar scored the only goal in Tuesday’s Colombia-Brazil clash, as if to celebrate being given the captain’s armband by new coach Dunga.
Today will also see Celta Vigo against Real Sociedad and Malaga versus Levante, in addition to the two big matches.
Tomorrow’s matches will be Rayo Vallecano v Elche, Valencia v Espanyol, Sevilla v Getafe and Granada v Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Monday will see minnows Eibar trying to keep their perfect home record intact, against fellow newcomers Deportivo La Coruna. And Barcelona forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar are fit for Saturday’s La Liga game at home to Athletic Bilbao, with manager Luis Enrique saying yesterday that he has an almost complete squad to choose from. — AFP.
Online Reporter