Ronaldo: I’ve Done Everything To Win The Ballon D’Or

A Real victory would stretch their advantage over their city rivals to nine points and severely dent Atletico’s hopes of repeating their La Liga triumph of 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken Alfredo Di Stefano’s record as the highest scorer in the history of the Madrid derby by scoring a hat trick against Atletico Madrid. Of the last six meetings, both teams share the victory twice and the remaining draws.

Despite Real’s European hoodoo over Atletico, it is the red and white side of Madrid that has dominated in recent seasons in league encounters.

Atletico had won four and drawn two of the last six league games between them.

Catch live La Liga action between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Benzema scored 21 goals back in the 2011-2012 season and 24 goals in the 2015-2016 season and other seasons, his goal ratio has dangled between 8-17 goals.

Real are now unbeaten in 29 games across all competitions stretching back to April, but this was Zidane’s men’s best display in that run.

Despite that, he still has seven goals in 12 games so far, although three of them came in one match.

Although Ronaldo went on to score a decisive hat-trick in what was a stellar performance by him and Real Madrid at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, he could have perhaps bagged four had the goal been allowed by the referee.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has welcomed the news that striker Antoine Griezmann is fit to play for Atletico Madrid in this weekend’s derby. He was doubtful because of a foot knock picked up while playing for France until Atletico’s team doctors cleared him after Friday’s late practice.

“Karim is in the squad”, Zidane confirmed. I think we have the best players.

“I always have faith that we’ll win close games by keeping a clean sheet, and as a group we’re working really well”, the Costa Rican added.

Diego Simeone has overseen a dramatic turnaround in Atletico’s fortunes since taking over almost five years ago. However, the manager might change again the tactics: “It’s not that the BBC are not negotiable, it’s because the three of them are the best”.