Derby demolition memories fresh as Real visit Atletico

They all know how much you mean to this club. “And the president for this event, Hala Madrid!”

The disagreement centres on a goal against Real Sociedad in 2010 which looped off Real team-mate Pepe and into the net, with the defender suggesting the goal should be Ronaldo’s but official records disputing the claim.

“For me it is an honour to receive this award, I never imagined when I dressed for the first time this shirt that I would be the best scorer of the team, that could beat my friend Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano”, he added. I also want to thank the press.

Real have not won La Liga since the 2011-12 campaign and have seen Atletico and then Barcelona win the Primera Division in the past two seasons, respectively.

That last success was particularly vital given what had happened in the two clubs’ previous league meeting, where Atleti has thrashed Real 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon in one of the worst results for Los Blancos in recent memory. The now infamous sign they held up in a game against Atletico a few years back which read in the style of a classified advert “Wanted: An opponent for a decent derby” has come back to haunt them in spectacular fashion. It hasn’t conceded in the last two matches, including in the important win against title contender Atletico Madrid on Saturday at El Madrigal Stadium. The team hasn’t been showing its usual confidence while playing at home recently, and it showed on Wednesday in a 2-1 loss to Benfica in the Champions League.

“We are in a hard situation but we need to move on”.

A lack of potency up front is Atletico’s biggest problem, despite the array of attacking talent they possess. While you have Griezmann, Juanfran, and possibly Angel Correa should he start, there to create, Koke is really the man who dictates what way Atletico attack.

Real captain Sergio Ramos and winger Gareth Bale are expected to return to action this weekend after shaking off their respective injuries while James Rodriguez is still out with a thigh problem.