Madrid derby

Real Madrid has not beaten Atletico Madrid in the league since the days of Jose Mourinho. Real Madrid has a bad record against Atletico Madrid with only 1 win the last 10 games. Last season, Zidane lost at home to Atletico but since then till now, Real Madrid has gotten 63 points. Zidane on last season’s defeat said yesterday: “I remember the defeat. It always hurts, but I’m not thinking about that game. I’m thinking about tomorrow and we will try to do the best to win".

Though, Real Madrid has

not played fascinating football much this season, they are winning. They are going into the game with 2 points ahead of Barcelona and another 6 ahead of Atletico Madrid. A win for Real Madrid will keep them on top of the league and with a difficult match out of their way. Knowing this, Real Madrid might feel this is their season to take.


At the end of this season, Atletico Madrid will quit their stadium Vicente Caldrone and will move to a 67, 000 capacity stadium, “La Peineta”. So, they might want to go into the game with a fire for fire determination, considering this is their last derby match on the stadium. Aside from this, they could be nine points behind Real Madrid if they loss this afternoon. Without being in December yet, a loss might make Atletico feel they are out of the title race. Atletico Madrid have played well this season but they have lost some unexpected matches. On the other hand, Atletico Madrid is a good team defensively. They are capable of nullifying Real Madrid’s attack. Ronaldo has failed to score in his last six Madrid derbies. Bale has only one goal against Atletico, scoring an extra time goal in the Champions League final in 2014, but they have little struggle in front of goal.
However, Atletico has their own worries too, conceding in their last four games and two loses in their last three La Liga game. They also have injury worries, their central defender Savic is ruled out of the derby. Good news for them, Griezmann has overcome a foot injury and will be available for the derby match. Zidane on his country man, Griezmann: “It is true that we have to be very careful against Griezmann…”
Alvaro Morata and Toni Kroos are out but Karim Benzema and Luka Modric are expected to feature in the big game today. Still, Real Madrid are missing Casemiro in the midfield. In defence, Pepe is out due to hamstring injury but Ramos returns.
Over time, Ramos has proven himself to be a force to reckon with. The defender and captain has scored 3 out of 12 games in Madrid derbies plus an equalizer 2014 Champions League final.
Positively, for Real Madrid, they have a record of11 games without conceding a goal before the international break and also unbeaten in all competitions playing 28 game. Zidane on the game: “…it’s a 50-50 game. We have to go and play until the end. It will be a tough game, but we’re used to tough games.

Written by : Adeyemi Onayemi

Big weekend

Truly, English Premiere League football has proven itself not to be a game played on paper. When Manchester United appointed Jose Mourinho, he was happy and full of confidence but recently he is sad and simmering with anger. His summer transfer signings have not been effective enough this season.

After having a bad game against Manchester city, Jose Mourinho has hardly given last season’s Bundesliga best player, Mkhitaryan the time to play. On Saturday, Manchester United will be without key man Zlatan Ibrahimovich ,when Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger renew their fierce rivalry. Zlatan Ibrahimovich is out due to a match, since he got banned for collecting five yellow cards.
Mourinho’s team have been suffering from injuries, with Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia on sideline. Also, Luke Shaw might not play, he is injury prone. Mourinho already criticized him and Chris Smalling for not being fit for their match against Swansea, saying: “we have players with problems.” Manchester United has won only one out of their last four games in the league. For most people, Jose Mourinho has lost it. He is no longer the “special one”. He has even lost his level of arrogance, especially with the media.
For Mourinho’s squad, Michael Carrick seems to be the missing puzzle. His introduction to the team this season has brought stability. Michael Carrick is a silent player on the pitch but he contributes greatly to the team. He is experienced, composed and well positioned on the field. I would be surprised not to see him play.

Mourinho already criticized him and Chris Smalling for not being fit for their match against Swansea, saying: “we have players with problems.” Manchester United has won only one out of their last four games in the league. For most people, Jose Mourinho has lost it. He is no longer the “special one”. He has even lost his pride, especially with the media.

For Mourinho’s squad, Michael Carrick seems to be the missing puzzle. His introduction to the team this season has brought stability. Michael Carrick is a silent player on the pitch but he contributes greatly to the team. He is experienced, composed and well positioned on the field. I would be surprised not to see him play on Saturday.

Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger will be facing a different Jose Mourinho this season, “the unhappy one”. Probably, this is the best time for Arsene Wenger to record his first competitive win against Mourinnho after 13 meetings between them. Arsenal are fourth on the table and are enjoying a good start to the league campaign. Man United are six points behind Arsenal on the table, who are two points behind league leaders Liverpool. Arsene Wenger’s men are unbeaten after losing to Liverpool in the opening day of the season.
Arsenal has injury problems too; Hector Bellerin is out and Arsenal’s big name and front man Alexis Sanchez is skeptical to feature in the match dolden opportunity for Frenchman, Olivier Giroud who has found himself more on the bench this season.

BOTH TEAM STAT:
Manchester United, won 94 games against Arsenal, drawn 49 and have lost 80.

Arsenal has found the net in each of their last five games against Manchester United.

Arsenal haven’t beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the league since 2006.

However, this is not a game played on paper. May the best team win.

written by: Adeyemi Onayemi