Struggling Atletico face tricky Real in Madrid derby

Last season fans of Atletico Madrid and eagerly looked forward to their team hosting  city rivals, Real in city derby in the La Liga. This season it’s unclear if the feeling is the same.

On Sunday, the two Madrid giants clash at a time when the 2014 Champions League runners-up are struggling while Real though, not in vintage form in the La Liga, are still a force to contend with.

The two sides clash just a week after  Los Colchoneros suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to current league-leaders Villarreal CF the same night Real were held to a goalless draw by bottom-placed Malaga.

Atletico would have ended up tied with Barcelona at the top spot if they managed to pull off a win against El Submarino Amarillo, but instead they were moved down to the fifth spot.

Atletico Madrid's own player, striker Léo Baptistão, who is on loan to Villarreal scored the winning goal that dropped Diego Simeone's team.

Diego Simeone at his fifth year at Vicente Calderon Stadium, has managed to transform the team, but things have not gone as expected so far this season.

With their contrasting results in their Champions League assignment last Wednesday, which saw  Real Madrid win 2-0 away to Malmo courtesy a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, and Atletico stunned 1-2 at home by Benfica, it will be a test for both Los Colchoneros and Los Blancos to turn their focus to the La Liga title chase. — PA