Atletico Madrid News
Real Madrid duo will undergo tests tomorrow to determine availability vs Atletico
As Real Madrid gear up for a crucial derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, manager Carlo Ancelotti is sweating over the fitness of two of his players in David Alaba and Rodrygo Goes.
Alaba and Rodrygo picked up injuries during the Merengues’ UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool on Tuesday night and are deemed doubts for the derby at this point.
And, according to MARCA, the Real Madrid duo will undergo tests tomorrow based on which their availability for the derby against Atletico Madrid will be determined.
Alaba suffered a strain in his right hamstring against Liverpool and had to be taken off just 27 minutes into the contest at Anfield, with Nacho Fernandez replacing him.
While the club have not confirmed the Austrian’s injury, as things stand, it seems unlikely that he will be ready in time for the clash against Diego Simeone’s side as per the report.
Alaba had only recently returned from an injury that had sidelined him for most of January. He had played 90 minutes in each of the Merengues’ previous four games prior to the Liverpool clash. This latest setback will come as a blow for the player and Ancelotti as well.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo left the field with less than ten minutes left against Liverpool due to an overload in the left gluteus. And, as per the report, the Brazilian will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to see whether there is a minor tear or if it is just an overload.
Depending on that, the 22-year-old’s availability for the game against Atletico Madrid will be decided upon.
So, it remains to be seen whether Alaba and Rodrygo could be declared fit to face the Colchoneros in La Liga on Saturday evening.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
