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Madrid Derby: Where do things stand for Real Madrid

By Sachin Bhat

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 6: Players of Real Madrid during the minute of silence in tribute to Davide Astori of Fiorentina who passed away last week end prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes stadium on March 6, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 6: Players of Real Madrid during the minute of silence in tribute to Davide Astori of Fiorentina who passed away last week end prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes stadium on March 6, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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18th November 2017, Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Atletico Madrid versus Real Madrid; Kiko Casilla and Sergio Ramos clearing the Atletico corner (Photo by Martin Seras Lima/Action Plus via Getty Images)
18th November 2017, Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Atletico Madrid versus Real Madrid; Kiko Casilla and Sergio Ramos clearing the Atletico corner (Photo by Martin Seras Lima/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

What the derby means to Real Madrid

Irrespective of the stakes, the odds and the prospects, the El Derbi Madrileno is always fiercely contested. Diego Simeone’s version of Atletico Madrid has always given their more glamours neighbors a good run for their money.

And kid you not, they’ll be in for it again here. But what does this game, or rather how much, does it mean to Real Madrid?

As aforementioned, all the hopes of retaining the La Liga crown have long been doused. But that doesn’t mean they give in already.

The runners-up spot is still up for grabs while Valencia remain hot on their coat-tails with only a solitary point gap between them and Real. Even if it weren’t to be a fight for the first place, this Madrid derby is every bit crucial and the Whites must make a statement of intent.

With a second leg against the Old Lady coming up on Wednesday, a win here would do a world of good to the team’s confidence going into the tie, even if they already boast a healthy lead.

More importantly, it would be a step closer to a second place finish, something the fans wouldn’t entertain if anything else. Moreover, with manager Zinedine Zidane’s neck on the line, every game will be closely monitored in this home stretch of the campaign, and every victory counts.

Next: Real Madrid: Could Raphael Varane miss the Madrid Derby?

If Real Madrid do end up winning an unprecedented third straight Champions League, the outcome of this tie would be long forgotten. Otherwise, it would go down as yet another smear in what has been a topsy-turvy campaign.

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more Madrid Derby coverage!

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