Atletico chasing derby hat-trick
LA LIGA: HAVE BEATEN REAL MADRID TWICE THIS TERM
Only one team has beaten La Liga leaders Real Madrid this season – neighbours Atletico Madrid, twice. Diego Simeone’s side visit the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow in La Liga, aiming to complete a hattrick of victories over their bitter rivals and wrestle their way into the title race.
Atletico inflicted Madrid’s only top-flight defeat of the season in September, with a 3-1 home win that shook Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Madrid responded with a run of 21 matches without losing, brought to a juddering halt by Atletico again in the Copa del Rey last-16 in January.
The Rojiblancos romped to a 4-2 extra-time victory to gain revenge for Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup semifinal win against them the week before in Saudi Arabia.
Another win for Atletico tomorrow would mean more than taking the derby honours – it would help revive their title hopes.
Real Madrid lead second-place Girona by two points and Atletico, third, by 10.
Simeone insisted that the previous matches held little relevance ahead of the third clash with Madrid in under a month.
“It’s a different game, as always in the derby,” said the coach after Atletico secured a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Atletico striker Memphis Depay has hit a rich vein of form ahead of the derby. The Dutch forward has scored in his last three matches.
“Memphis is working very well in the box, he’s very powerful, very strong,” said Simeone.
“We have to look after him, we need him and I hope he continues like this because the team needs these performances he’s putting on now.”
Both sides have problems in defence, with Atletico missing Jose Gimenez and Cesar Azpilicueta, while Madrid are without long-term absentees Eder Militao and David Alaba, as well as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Ancelotti said he did not think Atletico had his team’s number after they put four past Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
“I don’t think so, because a few days ago we beat them,” pointed out the Italian coach.
“Atletico have very dangerous players, who can score goals against you...the last two games we’ve played against them, we could have done better.”
The Italian was able to rest some players as Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Getafe on Thursday night, knowing tomorrow they have a chance to knock Atletico out of the title race.