REAL MADRID
Real Madrid round-up: Marcelo, Madrid derby, CSKA Moscow
A massive weekend in store in the Spanish capital as the big guns from Madrid go head to head at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 2045 CEST start on Saturday.
With both Real Madrid and Atletico coming into the Madrid derby with a different dynamic a win for Julen Lopetegui's men is vital after the midweek debacle at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Marcelo doubts
The Brazilian left the Sanchez Pizjuan pitch in visible discomfort after sustaining a calf muscle niggle as Madrid fell to a 3-0 defeat in Seville. The defender underwent a scan today and the result determined that player will not feature in the Madrid derby with doubts hanging over his participation in the trip to Moscow (versus CSKA) and even the visit to Vitoria next weekend where Madrid face Deportivo Alaves.
Derby tickets
With just over 24 hours to go before the first derby of the season kicks off, approximately 1,000 match tickets remain available for the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow night. Prices range from 90 euro through to 270 euro. Atletico will be cheered on by just 200 "Rojiblanco" fans at Chamartin with many Atleti supporters banning the game due to the high ticket prices.
Venue change
Real Madrid travel to face CSKA Moscow in matchday two of the 2018/19 Champions League group stage with demand in Moscow to see the game so hight that the Russian side confirmed that venue that recently hosted the 2018 World Cup final where France overcame Croatia will be the venue for the match with the Luzhniki boasting a capacity of more than 30,000 compared to the Veb.
RM Castilla v Navalcarnero
Currently riding high in Segunda B, Real Madrid Castilla are at home this weekend and welcome Madrid neighbours Navalcarnero to the Alfredo di Stefano on Saturday. Once again it's anticipated that Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr. will feature for Santiago Solari's side as the Real Madrid "B" team maintain their push to secure a play-off place as they look to return to 2a. Castilla remain unbeaten in the current campaign after five matches.
Russian Premier League
After Saturday's Madrid derby, focus will move to the Champions League as Lopetegui's men travel to the Russian capital. CSKA currently lie fifth in the domestic league and the league have brought forward their away game (vs. Orenburg) to allow teh army side more time to prepare for the visit of Real Madrid. The Muscovite side are currently 9 points behind Russian Premier League pacemakers Zenti who are unbeaten after eight games in the season.
