Let’s do it again, this time in a different competition! El Derbi Madrileno is back, as this time Real Madrid will travel to Atletico Madrid for a Copa Del Rey round of 16 clash tomorrow night. Just last week, Los Blancos bested Atletico 5-3 in the Supercopa de Espana, en route to winning the final over Barcelona, and thus retaining their title for another season. Now we’ll see if they can do the same in this competition. So let’s just get straight into the team news, for both sides, starting with Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Frenchman missed training yesterday, and he is thus a doubt for the Thursday night cup clash.
El Derbi Madrileño FYIs
Competition: Copa Del Rey Round of 16
Kickoff: Thurs. Jan. 18, 8:30pm, Metropolitan Stadium
Preview Content for Both Sides: Starting XI Predictions Team News
European football book authored by The Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks: go here
Team News for Both Sides
Not a whole lot is known about the issue with Tchouameni is, but it is not thought to be anything worrisome. It is understood that he missed out due to a precaution, and could likely do the same here (and for the same reason)
Lucas Vazquez, however, is moving closer towards a return from injury, but this match will come too soon for him.
Shifting gears to Los Rojiblancos, Memphis Depay is a doubt due to an adductor issue, while Reinildo is on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Elsewhere Thomas Lemar and Vitolo remain sidelined as long-term injury absentees.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.