Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ‘have to win every game’, says midfielder ahead of derby vs Atletico
Ahead of the Madrilenian derby, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has claimed that donning the royal white shirt of the club means that they have to win every win game, irrespective of who the opponent is.
Los Blancos have made a strong start to the 2023/24 season, winning each of their six games across all competitions, and are currently seated atop the La Liga standings.
But they await their biggest test of the campaign so far tomorrow at Civitas Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid get set to lock horns with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid must win every game, says Tchouameni
In the lead-up to the game, Tchouameni interacted with the media and stressed the importance of winning every match, irrespective of who the opposition is.
“We have to win every game. It doesn’t matter if it’s against Atlético de Madrid or Getafe, it doesn’t matter,” Tchouameni said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
At the same time, though, the French international highlighted the importance of the derby against Atletico Madrid and what it means for the fans.
“When you take the field in the Real Madrid shirt, we always have to win. It’s a derby, it’s an important game for us and for the fans. We have to continue as we have been doing, winning games like we have done all season,” he added.
Solid start for Tchouameni
Aurelien Tchouameni arrived at Real Madrid last year and soon became an integral part of the team under Carlo Ancelotti.
The midfielder’s form took a nosedive in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, but he has started the new season on a much stronger note.
Despite a so-so display against Real Sociedad last week, Tchouameni has been a solid presence in Ancelotti’s diamond midfield setup and will be aiming to carry on in the same vein of form against Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
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Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
