Real Madrid Vs. Atletico Madrid Preview: Four Lineup Changes

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will make four changes to the line-up of his team that beat Getafe on Thursday when they face Atlético Madrid in the derby at the Bernabeu.

Sunday night great game in Spain it could have serious repercussions on the title race, as previous surprise leaders Girona lost points to Real Sociedad on matchday 23.

With a win tonight, Ancelotti’s men can move four points clear of the Catalans ahead of their February 10 meeting, where a repeat of the September 30 victory at the Montilivi Stadium could put a hand on the title. of La Liga for Los Blancos. .

That said, Ancelotti refused to accept this being a “decisive” week in 2023/2024 despite the two huge domestic matches taking place in the next six days.

“It is an important week, but not decisive”, the Italian he said in his pre-match press conference.

“These are important League games before resuming the Champions League. We have to take advantage of the fact that we play two games in a row at home to score points.”

For the first of the matches, Ancelotti once again opts for Andriy Lunin in goal supported by a defense made up of Ferland Mendy, Nacho and Dani Carvajal in central defense with Lucas Vázquez in the fold.

In midfield, there are two key changes with the entry of Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos for Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric. Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde complete the midfield quartet.

At the top, Joselu does not have a second consecutive start, even after his brace against Getafe that sealed the points in midweek.

The Espanyol loanee loses his place to Rodrygo, as the Santos youth player forms an all-Brazilian attacking duo with Vinicius Jr.

Fans of both teams and neutrals alike will expect a spectacle on par with the two overtime matchups we witnessed in January.

Madrid won the first round of 16 match of the Spanish Super Cup 5-3 and then lifted the trophy against FC Barcelona in Riyadh.

Then, in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, Atleti prevailed at the Metropolitano with a 4-2 victory to earn their second home victory over their archrivals this season.

The Rojiblancos defeated Ancelotti’s team 3-1 on September 24, but that setback proved to be the slap Madrid needed to kick off a season that currently looks likely to see them finish as kings of La Liga.

Real Madrid First XI vs. Atletico Madrid: Lunin; Mendy, Nacho, Carvajal, Vázquez; Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham; Vinícius, Rodrygo