Atletico Madrid will be looking to avenge their Spanish Super Cup semi-final loss to Real Madrid when they face Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the second time in just over a week. Although the semi-final was very tense, in the end the white team emerged victorious and they will hope for the same this time in the knockout round of the Copa del Rey.
Diego Simeone’s team has not done so and is at its best in the 2023/24 season. They have been a bit inconsistent, which is why they are 5th in the table, 11 points behind leaders Girona with a game in hand. Things haven’t gone well for Atletico Madrid, but a win over rivals Real Madrid could certainly get things back on track.
They beat Lugo 3-1 in the round of 16 to reach this round. But Atletico Madrid entered this match after losing 3-5 to the white team. Therefore, it will not be easy for them to pass this round.
On the other hand, Real Madrid has been overwhelmingly strong this season. They are unbeaten in their last 21 games, with their only defeat of the season coming against Atletico Madrid in September. They are second in the league, one point behind Girona, but still have a game in hand.
Los Blancos come into this match after their comfortable 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The two are on different levels, and if they perform similarly, there is a very high chance they will win.
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid will meet for the second time in just over a week, so either Simeone’s side can avenge their defeat or Los Blancos can maintain their dominance. That’s an interesting point. Hard tackles, on the other hand, study both teams closely and try to predict what tactics they will use.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Thomas Lemar and Vitolo are injured in Diego Simeone’s team. Reinildo Mandava was not present as he was on international duty. Meanwhile, the participation of Memphis Depay and Pablo Barrios will depend on their fitness levels.
Simeone will not make radical changes to the squad that lost to Real Madrid. He will use a 3-5-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will start. The three central defenders will be Axel Witsel, Jose Maria Gimenez and Mario Hermoso. They will look to tighten up their defense and will be supported by Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino, who will play as wingers.
Rodrigo De Paul will start alongside Koke and Saul Niguez in the center of the park. This trio will look to dictate the tempo of the game and ensure that Real Madrid’s midfielders do not dominate proceedings. As for the attack, it will be the in-form duo Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezman.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2):
Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann
Real Madrid
Although there are concerns about Aurélien Tchouameni’s fitness, he will return in time for this match. But it’s still difficult for Carlo Ancelotti to score from the start. Real Madrid will once again be without the services of Lucas Vazquez with three of their players suffering from ACL injuries: Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba.
Ancelotti will keep the same squad (4 – 4- Midfielder number 2 diamond), and most of the personnel used will also be the same. Kepa Arrizabalaga will be on the bench for Andriy Lunin as confirmed by the coach.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will continue as full-backs. In the center of defense, Antonio Rudiger will partner Nacho Fernandez. The foursome will look to keep the defense tight and give their team a solid base to move forward.
Eduardo Camavinga will replace Tchouameni in the starting line-up as defensive midfielder dwell. He will start alongside Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde. The trio will look to ensure they outnumber their opponents in the center of the pitch with the help of Jude Bellingham, who will play as an attacking midfielder.
Rodrygo Goes is likely to start from the bench while Ancelotti will look to rotate and start Joselu alongside Vinicius Junior.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2):
Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr.
Key Stats
- Out of the 234 matches played between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, the wReal Madrid has won 116 and Atlético Madrid 58.
- Atletico Madrid has 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw in their last 5 matches.
- Los Blancos have won each of their last seven matches.
- Diego Simeone’s team has lost just one of his last three games in all competitions, against Real Madrid.
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 21 matches. They won 18 games and tied with three wins left.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
The 23-year-old Brazilian striker has shined since returning from injury. He is a game changer and does wonders for his team. Vinicius comes into this match having scored a first-half hat-trick against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. With the performance he showed last time, the Brazilian international will be confident of completing the match against Atletico Madrid.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
The balance favors unbeaten Los Blancos, who have shown dominance throughout the season, most recently with a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Although Atletico Madrid are looking to redeem themselves after a 3-5 defeat to their city rivals, Real Madrid’s formidable squad with the in-form Vinicius Junior poses a significant threat. It will be a fierce competition, but according to The Hard Tackle, the white shirt team can win 2-1 tonight.
