Hello and welcome along to this Madrid derby live blog, as Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu. This LaLiga Santander clash promises to be a thriller, as the two giants of the Spanish capital go head to head for what will be three vital points in the title race. We’ll be bringing you all the updates, so follow along here with us.
Real Madrid vs Atletico LIVE SCORE: 1-0
This is the very start of our Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid live blog, with the entries nearest the top the most recent ones. Below, we’ll bring you news from the build-up and then minute-by-minute updates too.
Minute 50: Courtois saves from Joao Felix
It’s a bit better from Atletico as their substitutions get involved. Joao Felix is the one to launch a shot and it stings the palms of Courtois, but he is able to gather it.
Minute 48: Big chance for Asensio
Vinicius feeds Marco Asensio perfectly, but the Mallorcan can’t get the shot off and is crowded out. Vinicius almost recovers, but the chance is gone. That could prove decisive.
Minute 46: A double change for Atletico, plus Benzema is off
There are two Atleti substitutions at half time, with Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco coming off for Thomas Lemar and Joao Felix. For Real Madrid, Karim Benzema comes off to make way for Luka Jovic, with Ancelotti not wanting to risk the Frenchman as he’s not 100 percent.
Half time: Real Madrid lead thanks to Benzema
Karim Benzema‘s 16th minute goal is the difference at half time, but there’s still all to play for in the second half. It got a bit tense towards the end of the first half as Mendy elbowed Correa near the touchline, collecting a yellow. This one could erupt in the second 45 minutes.
Minute 42: Atletico can’t keep the ball
Every time they have possession, Atletico Madrid struggle to do anything with it. It’s not been De Paul‘s best game, so let’s see if someone else comes on at the break to help with keeping possession.
Minute 38: Oblak blocks from Vinicius
Casemiro plays a defence-splitting pass for Vinicius to run on to, but Jan Oblak is there to block as the Brazilian tries to finish from a tight angle. Real Madrid then can’t do anything from the subsequent corner.
Minute 36: Yellow for Felipe
Felipe is the first player booked in this derby. There were several Real Madrid players who could have earned that unwanted honour, but Felipe is punished for a couple of fouls in a row.
Minute 35: Courtois does brilliantly to deny Griezmann
It’s stop-start, with Real Madrid fouling at every opportunity. Luka Modric is the latest to do so and Atletico Madrid win a dangerous freekick just outside the area, which Griezmann sends towards the top corner. But, Courtois is able to get to it to make a spectacular save.
Minute 30: Freekicks committed by Real Madrid
Real Madrid have no issue with cutting out any Atletico Madrid attack by committing a foul. There have been a couple now, but no yellow cards coming out of Mateu Lahoz‘s pocket.
Minute 24: Militao lets rip from distance
From waaaaayyyy out, Eder Militao tries his luck. It doesn’t even come close to troubling Jan Oblak, but remember his long shot led to a goal against Sevilla this time two weeks ago, so it was worth a try.
Minute 20: Atleti look to retake control
Atletico were the better side in the opening 15 minutes, but find themselves behind. Now, they’re trying to retake control, but Real Madrid have more confidence and are sitting deeper now. Let’s see if the visitors can find a way back into this.
Minute 16: GOAL!!! BENZEMA WITH THE VOLLEY!!!
It’s 1-0 to Real Madrid, with Karim Benzema proving that he was indeed fit enough to start. The Frenchman volleys a Vinicius cross into the bottom corner. What a finish!
Minute 11: Militao gets his head on a corner
Up the other end for the first time, Real Madrid win a corner and Eder Militao meets Toni Kroos‘ delivery. But, his headed flick on doesn’t find anyone else in white.
Minute 7: Real Madrid survive a freekick
Atletico Madrid win a freekick in a dangerous area and Angel Correa is able to receive it short inside the area, but his cross is headed away and Real Madrid ultimately win a throw-in.
Minute 5: A 4-4-2 from Atletico
There was uncertainty as to how Atletico Madrid would set up in this game, with so many players out of position. In the end, it’s a 4-4-2, which isn’t their usual formation these days.
Minute 4: More Cunha hustling
Cunha is starting off lively, much more so than Suarez would have done. He wrestles the ball off Dani Carvajal, who was looking for the freekick, and then tries his luck from distance. It’s off target, but promising for Atleti.
Minute 2: Cunha almost reaches a cross
There’s an early chance for Atletico Madrid, as Matheus Cunha reaches for a Marcos Llorente cross. He can’t quite get to it, but that’s a warning from the Rojiblancos to their neighbours.
Minute 1: Kick off!
Here we go then! It’s the Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. It’s one of the biggest games in world football. And it starts right now. Enjoy!
19:55 GMT: The players are in the tunnel
It’s almost derby time! The players are waiting in the Bernabeu tunnel, waiting to be led out onto the pitch by Mateu Lahoz. This should be a fun one and we’ll be covering it right here.
19:40 GMT: It’s Mateu Lahoz in the middle for the derby
The referee for this Madrid derby is Spain’s most famous referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz. It’s his eighth time refereeing this fixture, with the results in the other being four Real Madrid wins, two Atletico wins and a draw.
19:30 GMT: Still time to vote in our poll
If you’ve not voted in our Madrid derby poll yet, there’s still time to do so. You can have your say right here about who you think will win, or if you’re expecting a draw.
19:05 GMT: Everything is ready at the Bernabeu
With under an hour to go, the stage is set at the Bernabeu for this Madrid derby. The Real Madrid kits are laid out in the dressing room and the fans are starting to fill the stands. Excitement is building.
18:50 GMT: The confirmed Atletico line-up is as we predicted
The Atletico Madrid starting XI is out now too and it’s exactly as we predicted it, with: Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Felipe, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Mario Hermoso; Angel Correa, Koke, Rodrigo de Paul, Yannick Carrasco; Antoine Griezmann, Matheus Cunha.
18:40 GMT: Benzema makes Real Madrid’s starting XI
Karim Benzema is deemed fit enough to start this Madrid derby, meaning the Real Madrid starting line-up is as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius.
18:15 GMT: Make your Madrid derby predictions
Who do you think will take this Sunday night’s Madrid derby? Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid? Or will it be a draw, like this last one? You can have your saw in our predictions poll.
17:50 GMT: Atleti are out to end their poor Madrid derby run
Atletico Madrid haven’t had much fun in the Madrid derby of late, not winning any of their last 10 in LaLiga Santander and not winning any derby of any kind since the 2018 UEFA Super Cup.
17:25 GMT: The Atletico predicted derby starting XI
Predicting Atletico Madrid‘s line-up is even more tricky, as their injuries could provoke a formation change. For now, the probable starting XI is: Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Felipe, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Mario Hermoso; Angel Correa, Koke, Rodrigo de Paul, Yannick Carrasco; Antoine Griezmann, Matheus Cunha.
17:15 GMT: Real Madrid’s predicted derby starting XI
Looking at the likely Real Madrid line-up for this Sunday’s derby, it should be quite easy to predict apart from one position. That’s centre-forward, as it’s not clear if Karim Benzema will be fit enough to start or if Luka Jovic will do so. The probable line-up is: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Rodrygo, Luka Jovic, Vinicius.
16:55 GMT: When does the Madrid derby start?
This derby match between Real Madrid and Atletico will kick off at 21:00 CET, which is the local time. In the UK, that’s 20:00 GMT and the game will be on LaLigaTV there. In the USA, that’s 15:00 EST on the east coast and the Madrid derby can be viewed on ESPN+.
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