Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are gearing up for a pivotal Champions League clash, but their immediate focus is on two crucial derby matches in La Liga this weekend. With league leaders Barcelona set to face Osasuna on Saturday, both capital clubs have challenging fixtures as they strive to stay in contention in the tightly contested title race.
Real Madrid will host high-flying Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, will travel to face Getafe earlier that day. Real Madrid will welcome back England midfielder Jude Bellingham from suspension, but concerns linger over Kylian Mbappe’s recent performances. After a slow start to the season, the French superstar has struggled to find the net in their last two games, including the Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Atletico.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Mbappe’s fitness was affected by a dental issue. "He had no physical problems, but he hasn’t been able to train much due to his toothache," Ancelotti stated after their 2-1 win against Atletico. "Against Betis, he wasn’t in the best condition, but these minutes have helped him prepare for the next game."
Rayo Vallecano, currently seventh in the league, are fighting for a European spot next season. Despite a 1-0 loss to Barcelona in February, they proved they can compete with the league’s top teams. Meanwhile, Getafe, who sit 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone, remain a tough opponent at their home ground, the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Jose Bordalas’ side will be eager to avenge their 5-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico in February.
Atletico may rotate their squad to conserve energy for their Champions League second leg against Real Madrid. With a deep roster, players like Alexander Sorloth, Angel Correa, and Conor Gallagher could feature. However, Simeone emphasized that Getafe is the immediate priority. "Our first thoughts are on Getafe," he said. "From Sunday, we’ll start thinking about the Champions League tie, but Sunday will be tough and we’ll focus on that."
Barcelona, fresh off a 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica, may also rotate their squad against Osasuna. Alejandro Balde suffered an ankle injury in Lisbon, and Gerard Martin, who scored as his replacement last weekend, could be called upon again by coach Hansi Flick.
Player to Watch: Ante Budimir
The Osasuna striker is his team’s main threat as they aim to challenge league leaders Barcelona. Budimir recently scored his 58th La Liga goal for the club, breaking the previous record of 57.
Key Stats
- 3: Red cards received by Real Sociedad players in their last three league games.
- 7: Bottom-placed Valladolid are winless in seven matches as they face Valencia in a relegation battle.
- 71: Barcelona, the league’s top-scoring team, have netted 71 goals, with Real Madrid second at 55.
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Topics mentioned in this article: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, La Liga, Champions League
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