Real, Barca suffer humiliation
Defensive lapses see La Liga giants falter; advantage with Atletico ahead of Madrid derby
Atletico Madrid might have been dreading Saturday’s derby with Real Madrid two weeks ago following a bad start to the season but the momentum has suddenly shifted Diego Simeone’s side’s way as they head to the Santiago Bernabeu.
After taking a measly five points from their opening four games, Atletico appear to have turned a corner with convincing wins over Getafe and Huesca, moving to within two points of front-runners Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Victory on Saturday would lift them above their bitter city rivals and Real’s flying start under coach Julen Lopetegui was derailed by a humiliating 3-0 defeat by Sevilla.
Despite Real’s dominance in most European matches with Atletico, Simeone’s side have a remarkable record at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they have not lost a league game since December 2012.
Lopetegui may decide to recall Keylor Navas in goal after an unconvincing display against Sevilla from Thibaut Courtois.
The Real coach has admitted his side were outplayed against Sevilla. “When we win a game we prepare for the next one naturally and we’ll do the same after this defeat,” Lopetegui said.
“These things happen in a league season and they happen to every team. In three days we have another demanding game and we’re going to lift ourselves up quickly and prepare for the game with the maximum intensity.”