Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid is a King’s Cup quarter-final match to be played on Thursday at 21:00: predictions, analysis and likely formations.
The Madrid derby is one of those matches that can never, ever be overlooked. Not even if the two teams from the Spanish capital face each other in a simple King’s Cup quarter-final, on a cold January night. And at a particular time, when both are with their minds on the championship.
No, Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid is not a match like any other. On the ‘sacred’ turf of a temple such as the Bernabeu, the umpteenth chapter of a centuries-old rivalry is being played out, a rivalry that is lived out every day and that, above all, runs through the veins of the Colchoneros fans, who have always been a little in the shadow of their more emblazoned cousins. At stake tonight is a semi-final of the national cup, an objective that, in light of how things are going, could suit Diego Simeone’s men, who are out of Europe and in La Liga, thanks to a disappointing start, are by no means sure of finishing in the top four. Atletico returned to fourth place on Saturday thanks to a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid but must share it with Villarreal, who are not giving an inch, and behind them are possible threats not to be underestimated such as Betis and Osasuna.
The cup is worth more to Atletico
The Copa del Rey, for the Argentine coach, represents perhaps the only opportunity to lift a trophy. And to do so by eliminating the hated Real would obviously be doubly valuable.
Reinildo and Vinicius in the last derby
Carlo Ancelotti, however, seems to have understood the nature of the ‘malaise’ that has plagued his team, who got off to a slow start in 2023, even going so far as to lose the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia. The spark apparently reignited in the King’s Cup, in the round of 16 against Villarreal. A match that the Blancos were losing 2-0 at the start of the second half and were able to come back 2-3 thanks to a ‘Real-like’ comeback. A few days later came the important affirmation on a difficult pitch like that of Athletic Bilbao (0-2), bent thanks to goals from veterans Benzema and Kroos. However, the Italian coach has to reckon with an infirmary that is still full: the only one who can recover is Alaba, while Tchouaméni, Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez will forfeit. On the other hand, Simeone could challenge Real with an unusual 4-3-3, with Correa, Morata and Griezmann in attack.
The Prediction
Dry game, derby, up-and-down period of the two teams. In short, the ingredients for an unpredictable extracittadina are all there. But, as often happens in decisive matches, we tend to trust Real, who in the last two games seem to have put their negative period behind them. Blancos win in a match of at least two goals in total
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid likely line-ups
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
- ATLETICO MADRID (4-3-3): Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Reinildo; De Paul, Koke, Lemar; Correa, Morata, Griezmann.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
