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Once merely a foregone conclusion, the landscape of Madrid derby has metamorphosed into an unforeseeable affair in the recent years. The perennially understating Atletico Madrid are no longer the punching bags of the derby. They have successfully emerged from the shadows of their rich and glamorous neighbours to reassert their dominance over them.
The 4-0 mauling of their white counterparts in their last encounter cannot be more apt to testify it. Los Colchoneros, after the heartbreak in Lisbon last summer in the Champions League final, have been on a roll as they have consigned Real Madrid to defeats in the Spanish Super Cup, Copa Del Ray and both the league ties in this season. Now, when the two sides gear up for their 7th and the 8th meeting of the campaign, which comes in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it is the white half of Madrid who hold the edge over their crosstown rivals.
The upcoming fixtures serves as a realistic chance for the reigning European champions to arrest their winless run against Rojiblancos and here’s why:
Real Madrid in better form
The year of 2015 has been full of trials and tribulations for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. They were dumped out of the Spanish Cup, were nearly eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions League and also ceded their top spot in the league to Barcelona. The collective devouring at Calderon was perhaps the most distressing and the one that set the alarm bells ringing wildly at the Bernabeu.
However, fast forward 2 months, Los Blancos are once again hitting the top form and at the right time.
Since returning from the international break, Real have looked more confident, more organized and most importantly, more like a team. After 3 convincing victories on the trot, confidence is gushing through their veins and are gradually getting back into the groove. Atletico on the other hand, are losing the drive that helped them bulldoze past teams and are now working their guts off for a win. The ruthlessness they displayed till the initial few weeks of this year, is waning and their confidence, dwindling.
This opportunity comes as that of one in gold for Real Madrid to finally end their derby misery and reclaim the bragging rights in the Spanish capital.
Rejuvenated midfield
The last time these two teams clashed, Real were hit by some serious injury crisis coupled with suspensions to some key players. While Ramos and Marcelo were the absentees from their defensive lineup, Modric and James were the midfield casualties. Their absence took the grace off Real’s midfield and their deputies, Sami Khedira and Isco, were lamentable. Toni Kroos, like he has been all this year, looked jaded and devoid of ideas.
This had some really negative ramifications on their game as they were totally outmaneuvered in the centre by a rampant Atletico side, who knocked the daylights out of them. However, it’s a completely different ballgame this time around.
The habile midfield duo of Luka Modric and James Rodriguez are back from their long term injury lay-offs and back in fine fettle. Their return has injected a new sense of vigour in the Blancos midfield, something that had gone missing all the while they were out of the picture. The midfield now looks more balanced and authoritative and are once again firing on all cylinders.
And as far as for Toni Kroos, the German was handed a much-needed rest in last weekend’s home game against Eibar and is expected to be fit and raring to go for this midweek game.
Resurgent BBC
The deadly attacking troika of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were the pivotal reasons behind Real’s stratospheric success in 2014 as their immense goalscoring prowess tore every opposition into shreds. But in 2015, they were a pale shadow of themselves. Real’s form slump since the turn of the year, coincided with BBC’s fading attacking verve.
The trio went off the boil and lacked the punch to blow their opponents away. Gareth Bale, especially, was a target of abject criticisms from the fans and media alike. The goals dried up and so did the threat coming from them.
However, the all-European attacking trident is once again getting back into their element and are conjuring the mojo in front of the goal. The last 5 games have seen them accrue a total of 14 goals between them. Not a great tally by their standards, but an indication of their resurgence.
It is imperative for BBC to be at their fierceful best if Real are to progress at Atletico’s expense and considering their recent displays, a sense of optimism enveloping the Bernabeu outfit can be felt.
