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Sixth Madrid derby of season to be close run affair

Xinhua, February 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

There promises to be tension and plenty of controversy when Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid kick off the weekend in the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides clash for the sixth time this season and if previous encounters this season are anything to go by, it could be a difficult afternoon for the referee, but also for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti's side cross Madrid with a seven point lead over their neighbors in the BBVA Primera Liga, knowing that victory will leave Atletico trailing in their wake.

However, Ancelotti also knows his side have failed to beat their neighbors in five games this season and he is also missing experienced players for the game due to a mix of injury and suspensions, with Marcelo sanctioned by the Spanish FA (RFEF) after seeing his fifth booking of the season.

Meanwhile James Rodriguez will be out of action for two months after undergoing an operation on a broken metatarsal bone in his right foot on Thursday; central defenders, Sergio Ramos (hamstring) and Pepe (rib) are also out of action and Fabio Coentrao also has a muscle problem.

Those absences will see Ancelotti bring Cristiano Ronaldo, who is available after suspension, back for James, while Alvaro Arbeloa will play at left back and the adaptable Nacho Fernandez will play alongside Rafael Varene in central defense.

Ancelotti admits the injuries have robbed his side of much-needed experience against an Atletico that normally plays at the limit of the law in midfielder and defense order to get a result.

While they are rock-solid at the back, Atletico are now functioning in attack with Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres posing a threat to any rival. Torres has already scored twice against Real Madrid following his triumphant return to the club as Atletico dumped Real Madrid out of the King's Cup in January.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper, Diario AS, Torres said on Friday that the change in Atletico's mentality was that when in the past they used to go onto the pitch "to see what happens, now we go out to win."

Meanwhile Mandzukic poses a fearsome threat from set pieces (something Real Madrid struggle to defend against) and Greizmann will use his pace to look to punish any loss of possession in the Real Madrid midfield.

It looks to once again be finely balanced with the game likely to be decided by details and every decision by the referee put under the microscope. Endi