Drums of War in a Derby with Leadership at Stake

Real Madrid and Atlético, two neighbours currently separated by an institutional chasm, bring their conflict to the pitch at Santiago Bernabéu. Chamartín witnesses a summit clash, with Barça poised and waiting, deciding the leadership of a three-way La Liga that continues to surprise with unexpected plot twists.

Although the rift between the two capital giants dates back, as their relations in the offices have been practically extinct since the summer of 2022 when the white club broke the non-aggression pact between both institutions with the signing of Atlético youth player Jesús Fortea, the harsh letter that Real Madrid sent to the federation on Monday to attack the refereeing system and even talk of "adulteration" of the competition further heightened the tension surrounding the always heated Madrid derby.

Atlético, the most belligerent among the rest of the La Liga clubs, who positioned themselves against what they consider "pressure" from Madrid on the refereeing collective, engaged throughout the week, with several posts on their official social media profile, where they mocked with instruction sheets for the derby. Among them was "use your official television to pressure the referees" and "use your army of 'friendly journalists' to spread your delusions."

The latest episode of this tug-of-war in the derby off the pitch came with the signing of Sergio Ramos by Rayados de Monterrey, Mexico. The centre-back will wear the number '93', referring to the minute of the goal that equalised in stoppage time the 2014 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atlético, before an extra time that gave the white team their tenth European Cup. The anecdote served for the Chamartín club, distant in recent times from their former captain and legend, to launch another poisoned dart at their city rival.

The recent clashes between Atlético fans and Madrid players like Vinicius or the former red-and-white Courtois, in addition to the incidents in the first leg at the Metropolitano, with objects thrown by ultras that forced the match to stop, also fuel the tense atmosphere associated with a derby with much at stake.

Thus, it was convenient for the coaches, both Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone, to lower the soufflé of controversy by overlooking the refereeing disputes to focus exclusively on the sporting aspect. The Italian denied that Madrid pressures the referees, and the Argentine directly focused on his team when asked about the thorny issue.

In strictly football terms, the second derby of the season - the first ended in a one-all draw in Atlético territory - presents itself as a kind of litmus test for a Real Madrid this season very out of tune in major fixtures. The white team drags evident defensive ailments due to the plague of injuries that has plagued their backline in recent times, but the lack of alternatives once again puts Lucas Vázquez and Tchouaméni in the spotlight, who will play in the heart of the defence alongside the established Asencio, with the option of Mendy on the left flank, as the Frenchman, despite his discreet version this season, offers more guarantees than Fran García in his own field.

From there, Madrid's starting eleven will be the gala one, with Bellingham behind the offensive trident formed by Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vinicius, forced by the pedigree of the rival to the effort in pressing that they find so difficult to offer. In the midfield, Valverde's dynamism is non-negotiable, and the position of companion is contested by Ceballos, consolidated in recent matches, and Camavinga, who returns after an injury.

Opposite, an Atlético on a roll, capable of accumulating 19 victories in their last 21 matches and willing to reclaim in hostile territory the leadership they briefly held to be crowned winter champions. Cholo found the key with his return to 4-4-2. He counts on the reliability of Giménez and Lenglet in the centre of defence, the good form of Barrios and De Paul in midfield, the energy and breakthrough of Giuliano and Lino on the wings, and the imbalance of Griezmann and Julián Álvarez, a top-level offensive duo.

These cards on the table support the expectation of one of the most balanced and exciting derbies in memory, if the tension and refereeing controversy, with Soto Grado in the eye of the storm, allow it.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Mbappé.

Atlético: Oblak, Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán, Giuliano, De Paul, Barrios, Lino, Griezmann, and Julián Álvarez.

Referee: Soto Grado (Riojan Committee).

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.

Time and TV: 21:00 h. Movistar LaLiga.