Atlético won’t greet Real Madrid with honor guard in derby

MADRID » The newly crowned champions of the Spanish league should not expect any special treatment come Sunday at their most hated rivals.

Atlético Madrid says that it won’t provide an honor guard, whereby one team’s players like up to applaud their opponents as they enter the field before kickoff, for league champions Real Madrid for Sunday’s derby at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

“We congratulate Real Madrid, its players and its coaching staff because they have done an incredible job,” Atlético coach Diego Simeone said Saturday in the buildup to the game.

“I respect Madrid for becoming the champion, but we have much more respect for our fans, those who are always with us.”

Madrid wrapped up its 35th Spanish league title last weekend with four rounds remaining after beating Espanyol 4-0.

The honor guard is not always practiced in Spanish soccer. But often the first opponent to face a newly crowned champion after winning a title will pay their respects in this fashion. It is a custom that is not practiced in all leagues. Both Simeone, who is Argentine, and Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is Italian, both said it is not done in their countries.

The always relaxedlooking Ancelotti tried to downplay Atlético’s decision, which is sure to rub many Madrid fans the wrong way.