Eternal City rivals, Atletico Madrid will host Real Madrid for the last time in La Liga at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday in what is expected to be a tough encounter.
Real lifted their 11th European Cup on penalties in the last meeting between the teams in May and Atletico are the more desperate side for more reasons than just revenge as Diego Simeone’s men lie six points off the leaders at the top of the table.
“There are scars that remain there and that we will never forget. They are bitter moments and above all they are hard because of what it meant to all Atletico fans,” said Atletico captain, Gabi.
Atletico are due to move to their new La Peineta stadium next season after 50 years at the Calderon.
And after two defeats in three games, Gabi believes victory is necessary to get back in the title hunt.
“That it is the last derby at the Calderon in La Liga makes it all the more exciting and special. If we win we are in the fight once more,” he added.
Griezmann returned from international duty with France with a severely bruised left foot, but has trained this week and is expected to start.
Real are even more ravaged by injury with Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Alvaro Morata definitely sidelined.
Ramos hasn’t played since spraining knee ligaments over a month ago, but is aiming to return with his usual central defensive partner Pepe also a major doubt.
However, Madrid will have a fully-fit Luka Modric, who Gabi described as Real’s “best player” free to start for the first time in nearly two months.
Despite Real’s European hoodoo over Atletico, it is the red and white side of Madrid that has dominated in recent seasons in league encounters.
Atletico haven’t lost a league derby in the past three seasons, including Zinedine Zidane’s only La Liga defeat as Real boss in a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu back in February.
