Tomorrow’s Madrid derby has no shortage of story lines, with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez being right at the top of the topic list. After enduring an absolutely insane transfer saga this summer, surrounding a potential move to FC Barcelona that never even materialized, the Argentine has not been much of a major factor for this team, so far this season.
Currently dealing with a muscular injury, Alvarez will play, but how much remains to be seen. need to pass a late fitness test, in order to feature in this one.
El Derbi Madrileño FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Sept. 20, Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
Team News: Real Madrid Atletico Madrid
Predicted Starting XIs for Both Sides: go here
Google’s Result Probability: Real Madrid 49% Draw 24% Atletico Madrid 27%
La Liga Standing, Form: Real Madrid 2nd, 15 pts WWLWW Atletico Madrid 4th, 13 pts DWLWW
Did Diego Simeone Give a Julian Alvarez Update?
“He’ll be with us,” Atletico manager Diego Simeone said, earlier today, when asked if Alvarez could feature in the capital derby on Sunday. “Later we’ll decide whether he starts, or comes on in the second half.”
Elsewhere Pablo Barrios and Alexander Sorloth, both of whom are dealing with unspecified muscular injuries, will need to pass late fitness tests in order to make Sunday’s matchday squad. Other than that, the Atleti injury situation is smooth sailing.
When Was the Last Time Diego Simeone and Jose Mourinho Met?
This will mark the first time that the two esteemed managers have faced each other since April of 2014, when Simeone’s Atletico side defeated Mourinho’s Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals.
“I’m not one to dwell on [things from] many years ago,” Simeone responded, during his Saturday news conference, when asked about what he recalls from this last meeting.
“I have huge respect for Mourinho, I’ve been an admirer of his for a long time, I’ve followed him and watched him.
“He knows the regard I have for him. Hopefully we can compete tomorrow as we have done when we’ve faced him.”
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor 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 currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.