The joy goes for several, and more when the rivalry of the derbies is spoken, regardless of the city. But tomorrow (9:00 p.m. Movistar LaLiga), the two teams, Madrid and Atlético, arrive comfortably installed in a state of happiness. The Champions League is to blame for it. Beyond the situation in the domestic championship, Madrid and Atlético appeared on the last day of the group stage of the European competition without having the pass to the second round resolved. A point needed Atlético Salzburg, Madrid victory against Gladbach … Failure to achieve that goal would have meant a sporting blow, but even more economical, difficult to carry in times of current crisis (Madrid's income, for example, has fallen by 25% in two years to 600 million). As a sample, a button: for being in the eighth of the Champions League, 9.5 million are charged, for being in the quarterfinals 10.5, for the semifinals 12, being champion reports 19 and runner-up 15 … The tension of the moment was maximum, but now both , Madrid and Atlético, take a deep breath. The Europa League is far away.
The tightness of the league championship is of another type because although the differences in the classification are beginning to be generous, there is more time to correct mistakes. An Atlético victory would leave Madrid almost ruled out in the fight for the title. Now he takes six points and with a less disputed game. A Madrid victory would leave everything, again, very open. The inertia of one and the other in LaLiga is different. Madrid played a serious game at Pizjuán that gave them a victory in what was dubbed the first final of the sequence of three (Sevilla-Gladbach-Atlético), but before that they had only been able to win one of nine points.
It is already an evidence that it is the teams that come together behind, as happened against Cádiz or Alavés, those who put Zidane's men in trouble. On the other hand, in those who have less possession, such as against Sevilla (the one with the least of the season with 36%) is victorious. It also happened against Barça (46%). Simeone will take it into account when planning the game, that is evident.
The Athletic.
For its part, Atlético reaches the full derby. He faces the game knowing that it is a final … but for the Madrid team. A very different situation from other seasons. However, no one at Atlético wants to guess. Anything that adds is worth to the rojiblancos, confident in the strength of their block. He has conceded two goals in ten games and that is where he has to start winning the derby. If Oblak does not receive goals, Atlético has many options to win, as Carrasco, João Félix, Luis Suárez, Correa … and even Lemar appear ahead, hooked again for the cause. The numbers in the championship to date say it all: he is the leading candidate to win the title, with eight wins and two draws in ten games. The numbers of Zidane's team make it clear that something in his way of playing is not working: six wins, two draws and three losses in eleven games … And it is not even a guarantee that he will play at home. In Valdebebas he has lost as many games (two) as he has won in this unusual season.
A draw would also leave Madrid alive in their fight for the title. The white team has not lost to Atlético in any competition since August 2018, when they lost in the European Super Cup (2-4). Since then, two wins and three draws. But this derby is written in different letters. After the game the title may be clearer for Atleti or still at stake for Madrid …