Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid - Competition: Copa del Rey
Real Madrid team will attempt to dig themselves out of 0:2 hole in the 2nd leg of their last-16 tie against their in-town rivals. The first leg saw Los Blancos fall despite creating numerous first-half chances that admittedly should have been put away. Then a second-half penalty was rightly given when Ramos dragged down Raul Garcia in the box, and the “White Ballet” hardly resembled a neatly-choreographed performance. They were held without a goal for just the first time in 28 games, which just so happened to come against Atletico Madrid as well in the Super Cup, and confidence may be low headed in considering they have failed to conquer their noisy neighbors in all 4 competitive meetings this season. However, it is important to note that Cristiano Ronaldo has only played 1 full match against the visitors this season, and he came on in their Copa del Ray 1st-leg match with under half an hour to play. But the Portuguese super-stud is expected to start here and last the match’s entirety, and his presence alone gives the hosts the upper hand headed in. He can single-handedly take over a match with a moment of brilliance, and we fancy him being able to help his team to victory this Thursday. However, whether that will be enough to qualify or not remains to be seen.
Atletico Madrid team continue to plague their neighbors
after sitting in their long shadow for so many years. Manager Diego
Simeone has masterminded a number of excellent results against Real, one
of which came in the 1st leg of this Copa del Ray last-16 tie. Los
Blancos had been shredding opponents with a high-powered attack and had
entered the Vicente Calderon with an astonishing 32 goals on the road
through 9 La Liga matches. But the stern, physical defence that Atletico
used to claim the pinnacle of Spanish football last season came through
once again, as they held Real to another shutout, meaning they have now
scored just 2 goals through 4 competitive meetings against Atletico
this term (Super Cup included). Furthermore, the visitors have conceded
just 10 goals through 9 BBVA La Liga road games (3rd-best in La Liga), and it
wouldn’t be surprising to see them stifle the “White Ballet” yet again.
However, it must be said that Los Colchoneros have not received their
typical dose of Cristiano this season, with the Portuguese star
playing more than 45 minutes in just 1 of their 4 competitive meetings.
While Atletico could be buoyed by the possible return of centre-back
Miranda, it may take extra time and perhaps even penalties for the
visitors to reach the Quarter-Finals of the competition.
Probable lineups:
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira – Mario Suarez, Gabi – Niguez, Raul Garcia, Griezmann – F. Torres.
Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Pepe, S. Ramos, Marcelo – T. Kroos, Isco – Bale, J. Rodriguez, C. Ronaldo – Benzema.
Match date: 15 January 2015
Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
