Fans pick Vázquez over Benzema for Madrid derby
Supporters from both Atlético and Real Madrid have chosen their preferred starting XIs in an AS poll ahead of the last ever Madrid derby in LaLiga at the Vicente Calderón.
The fans have spoken ahead of Saturday night’s big Madrid derby. While Zidane and Simeone no doubt already have their starting lineups firmly in mind, AS.com readers have voted in our website poll to choose their preferred XIs for the last ever LaLiga game between Atletico and Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderón.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico fans’ XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Savic, Filipe; Koke, Gabi, Saúl; Carrasco, Gameiro and Griezmann.
The starting lineup voted for by Atletico fans is the same one we saw in the 1-1 draw with Barcelona, although this eleven is also the one that lost 2-0 in Anoeta. Rojiblanco supporters have gone for the midfield three of Gabi-Koke-Saúl and an attacking trident of Gameiro, Griezmann and Carrasco, one that Simeone himself has picked 10 times in LaLiga so far.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid fans’ XI: Keylor; Carvajal, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kovacic, Isco; Lucas Vázquez, Cristiano and Bale.
If Zidane was to listen to Real Madrid supporters, it would be the first time he’s ever played with this starting eleven. The biggest change enforced by the Merengue faithful would be to play Lucas Vázquez in front of the out-of-form and just-back-from-injury Karim Benzema. The Spanish striker’s introduction in the team would likely see Bale shift to the left and Cristiano in the middle with Vazquez slotting in on the right, however Zidane could also choose to employ a 4-4-2.
This season Vázquez, Bale and Cristiano have played together 10 times, although never from the start. The midfield three of Modric, Kovacic and Isco is an even more irregular occurrence, having found themselves together only once this season in the 3-0 win over Leganés (although that was not from the start either). The back four of Carvajal, Ramos, Varane and Marcelo, meanwhile, is arguably Zidane’s first choice.
