3 Things to Watch as Real Madrid Host Rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby
By Ben Sundock
The Real Madrid Defense
It’s no mystery after the 4-2 win at Leganés, the Real Madrid defense was absent. Two goals allowed in just a matter of seconds allowed Leganés back in the game, pulling within one after Los Blancos had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in less than a half hour.
Weak defense from Danilo on the wing, poor positioning by Nacho on the corner kick goal, and Keylor Navas, mispositioned and confused as ever, looked horrible at the back for the first placed team in Spain.
The second half saw the back four and the goalkeeper settle down, marginally. If Real want to have any chance of knocking off their rivals, they are going to need to have sound defending from their back four when dealing with the dangerous Atleti attack, featuring several lethal finishers.
The key to the game will lie in the defense and if Real can keep Atleti off the score sheet. It should be a pretty low scoring game, and if Real can get out in front and hold Atleti’s lethal attack at bay, good things will come.