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More than pride at stake in Madrid derby

Xinhua, February 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid entertain local rivals Atletico Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon in a match neither of the two sides can afford to lose.

Last weekend's results in the BBVA Primera Liga left Real nine points behind BBVA Primera Liga leaders, FC Barcelona while Atltetico are eight behind with just 13 matches left to play, meaning more than local pride is at stake.

Defeat for either side would leave them definitively out of the title race, while a draw would probably end both teams' hopes, although in his pre-game press conference on Friday, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that was not the case.

"If we lose, it doesn't mean we are out of the title race. We are not going to let our heads drop until the end. If we drop points it will be more difficult for us, but we still have a lot of games."

"Our season doesn't end tomorrow," he insisted.

Zidane informed that left back Marcelo will miss the game and be out of action for the next three weeks after tearing a calf muscle, while Gareth Bale remains sidelined.

The good news for Real Madrid is that central defender Pepe was able to train on Friday, while Karim Benzema should be able to start in attack.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone took a similar attitude to Zidane, assuring that failure to win did not mean the end of the season.

"I can promise you that while there are still points to play for, the league is still up for grabs, although it is difficult with the advantage Barcelona have over us," he insisted.

Atletico have failed to score in their last two matches and will be without Belgian attacking midfielder, Yannick Carrasco for the game through injury.

"His ankle is improving, but the main for him is to recover," said Simeone, whose side has the best defensive record in Spain.

"Before the game you have a lot of ideas, but in the end it's the players who end up decide whether you pressure in attack or defense. We have our way of playing and we are not going to differ from that," he insisted. Endit