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.”
VALVERDE PAYS PRICE FOR SHUFFLING PACK
BARCELONA: After Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Leganes on Wednesday, coach Ernesto Valverde was left grappling with a problem that also haunted his predecessor Luis Enrique: how to rotate his squad and keep his best players fresh without dropping points.
Valverde started the game at Leganes without first choice left back Jordi Alba and centre forward Luis Suarez.
The ploy looked to be paying off when Philippe Coutinho put the visitors ahead with a first half volley, but Barca’s lack of spine was soon exposed by the Madrid minnows, who turned the game on its head with two goals in 68 second half seconds.
Valverde’s response was to promptly bring on Suarez and Alba for Munir El Haddadi and Thomas Vermaelen, who had been caught out of position when Nabil El Zhar headed in the equaliser. He also brought on Brazilian Malcom, a summer signing from AS Roma who has yet to make an impact at Barca, but none of the three substitutes could prevent the champions from suffering a first league defeat to Leganes.
Valverde’s selection was inevitably cited as a key reason for the unexpected result, which came hot on the heels of a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Girona in which the coach had again left out regular starters.