Real Madrid vs Atlético: What happened in the last LaLiga meetings?
Real Madrid’s perfect start to the 2022-23 season will be put to the test when they visit city rivals Atlético Madrid on Sunday in LaLiga.
Real Madrid have started the new season in stunning form with Carlo Ancelotti’s men boasting a 100 percent start to both the LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League where it’s seven wins from seven games in both competitions.
‘Los Blancos’ however do face their most complicated test of the season so far as Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel across the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid and set to face Atleti without captain and striker Karim Benzema.
Midfielder Federico Valverde appears to have taken on the scoring mantle, netting two stunning finishes in consecutive games much to the Italian manager’s delight.
“The strange thing is he only scored once last season, and I told him that if he didn’t score 10 goals this campaign given how he can hit a ball, he should cut up my coaching certificates,” laughed Ancelotti, when asked about the Uruguayan player’s upturn in form in front of goal.
“However, our planning for the derby hasn’t changed. We’ll see how Benzema goes over the next days but we won’t take risks. If he can train properly then he’ll play, and if not, then he won’t.”
Defender Lucas Vazquez will miss the trip to the Metropolitano where Madrid face an Atletico side who have had an erratic start to the campaign.
After thrashing Celta Vigo 4-1 last weekend they were beaten 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Atletico defender Sergio Reguilon will miss a reunion with his former club because of a groin problem, while first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak (back), central defensive pair Stefan Savic (hamstring) and Jose Maria Gimenez (back) and midfielder Thomas Lemar (muscle problem) face late fitness tests.
Atleti-Real Madrid: last five LaLiga meetings
2021-22 season
May 2022: Matchday 35: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
December 2021: Matchday 17: Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid
2020-21 season
March 2021: Matchday 26: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid
December 2020: Matchday 13: Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid
2019-20 season
February 2020: Matchday 22: Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid