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All set for tense Bernabeu Madrid Cup clash

Xinhua, January 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone has told his players they need to be humble as they prepare for their Kings Cup second leg tie against Real Madrid.

Last week saw goals from Raul Garcia and Jose Gimenez give Atletico a 2-0 win over their neighbors in the Vicente Calderon, but Simeone knows that on Thursday night his side must survive 90 minutes in a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and as the saying goes '90 minutes in the Bernabeu can be a very long time.'

The fact is that Atletico have had the advantage over their neighbors this season, winning in the Bernabeu in the league and also defeating them in the Spanish Supercup, but that was early in the season before Real Madrid embarked on their impressive run of 22 consecutive wins.

That run was halted at the start of the month by defeats in Valencia and also in the Calderon, but Real Madrid got back to winning ways at the weekend as they brushed past Espanyol 3-0.

"We have to remember we are not as good as they are and if we relax, they can put four goals past us," commented Simeone in sports paper Diario AS.

Real Madrid will go into the game led by FIFA Golden Ball winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, who only played for 30 minutes in the Calderon. Ronaldo will be partnered by Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Bale has been the subject of unfair criticism by the Madrid fans over the past week for not passing to Ronaldo who was supposedly in a better position to score on Saturday and will need a good display.

Meanwhile Sergio Ramos should be back after his back injury, while Kaylor Navas , who says he "knows what the derby means to the fans," will play in goal.

Atletico will also make changes to the side which lost 3-1 to Barca on Sunday with Fernando Torres likely to get the nod alongside Antoine Griezmann and the pace of both could be a key factor on the night.

As always Simeone' s men will look to sit deep, be solid in the challenge, frustrate their rivals and look to use their effectiveness on the break and from set pieces. There is no love lost between the two sides and that will add even more spice to an already tense derby. Endi