The Cup examines the resurgence of Real Madrid and Atlético

The Cup examines the resurgence of Real Madrid and Atlético

The Santiago Bernabéu hosts a cup derby without a net for the semifinals and that will enlarge the loser's sports 'wound'

MADRID, 25 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid receives Atlético de Madrid this Thursday (9:00 p.m./La 1) in the duel corresponding to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey 2022-2023, in a key match for the current state of mind of both teams and with the addition of the desire to get out of the competition to his neighbor and rival.

The Santiago Bernabéu has not hosted a Cup match since the elimination in 2020 against Real Sociedad and he has not yet seen his team after the World Cup break. Now, the white fiefdom will host a cup derby that has not been seen since the 2014-2015 season, with a pass to the rojiblanco quarterfinals and the second derby this season after the Madrid victory (1-2) at the Metropolitano in September.

The clash gains importance due to the title at stake, even more important if possible for the visitors, who have their best trophy option in the KO tournament after their European elimination and their bad first round in LaLiga Santander. The locals, for their part, already lost the Spanish Super Cup a few days ago and they cannot afford to say goodbye to another title either, particularly one that has resisted them since 2014 and in which they have hardly shone since then.

Real Madrid will have to be strong at home to face an opponent who is not going to make things easy for them and against whom they will need to offer that improvement that came to light from the second half at La Cerámica last week. with a comeback (2-3) of the past against Villarreal to stay alive in the Cup, and which had continuity in the form of solvency in San Mamés against Athletic Club last Sunday (0-2) to continue the league trail of the Barca.

Without rest in a hectic calendar and with the visit of Real Sociedad next Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti will have to find the key to have the best eleven possible against Diego Pablo Simeone's men, who will pose an intense match and wanting to take advantage of her theoretical role of 'victim'.

In this sense, Ancelotti has good news with the return of David Alaba, which will allow him to rotate in defense and rest one of the four (Nacho, Militao, Rüdiger and Mendy) who have played everything in the last two games. although it still does not have Aurelien Tchouameni.

In this way, in the center of the field, the Italian will have to fit all the pieces well to overcome the expected pressure from Atlético. Kroos and Modric could return to the eleven after their San Mamés break at the cost of leaving out a Ceballos at a good level and key in Villarreal and Bilbao because Camavinga has won integers as a defensive midfielder.

Above, Benzema, in tune with the goal, and Vinicius, who is not going through his most brilliant moment, seem fixed, while there would be a place left for the energy of Fede Valverde or the greatest offensive bet with Asensio or Rodrygo.

For its part, Atlético de Madrid will visit its neighbors in the capital at a time when it is trying to recover from its bad start to the season. Simeone's men seem to be recovering better sensations thanks to a great Griezmann and they will put themselves to the test in a stadium where they haven't won since 2016, precisely with a goal from the Frenchman. The last three visits, one to Alfredo di Stéfano, have ended in defeat and without scoring.

The rojiblanco team comes to the Bernabéu encouraged after returning to the path of victory in the league and doing it with good play and forcefulness against Valladolid. This improvement on both sides of the area will now be necessary against Real Madrid, who is also having a hard time up and back.

In search of achieving a classification that can definitively change his course in this campaign, the Argentine coach will have to decide which is the best eleven, where the return of Stefan Savic is expected in defense, sanctioned in the last two league games. The Montenegrin should be accompanied by Mario Hermoso, despite the return of José María Giménez to training, with Reinildo and Nahuel Molina on the sides.

In the center of the field, Simeone has the important loss of Marcos Llorente and it seems that he could replace him with Rodrigo de Paul, in addition to deciding if he is 'offensive' keeping Ángel Correa or adding one more midfielder. Up top, Griezmann will lead the offense, surely accompanied by a reinforced Álvaro Morata.

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema y Vinicius.

ATHLETIC MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Reinildo; Lemar, Koke, DePaul; Griezmann, Morata and Correa.

--REFEREE: Soto Grado (C. Riojano).

--Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

--TIME: 9:00 p.m./1:00 a.m.