Atletico Madrid have failed to beat Real Madrid in the past 12 years despite winning multiple trophies and fielding Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan among an array of talented players.
The crosstown rivals meet today in the Spanish league at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the site of Atletico’s last capital derby win in 1999 – Madrid then going on an unbeaten run of 21 games against their neighbours across all competitions.
Atletico were eventually relegated that season, and the team is again closer to the drop zone than the lead this campaign, trailing Madrid in top spot by 15 points and only seven points in front of 18th-place Granada.
Oddly, Atletico have managed to beat Barcelona eight times in the past 12 years, only one victory fewer than Madrid has achieved against their fiercest rival.
“We have to play a perfect game,” Atletico midfielder Diego said on Thursday. “We have to take advantage of any opportunities, which will probably be few.”
While Madrid are waiting to know whether forwards Kaka and Angel Di Maria and defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Ricardo Carvalho will be available after missing the past two games, Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano says injured striker Radamel Falcao hasn't recovered in time to play today. Atletico were hopeful the €47 million-signing would recover from a leg muscle tear to play at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, but Manzano ruled out the Colombian international yesterday. Manzano says "he is not 100 percent and it's not worth the unnecessary risk when there is so much season ahead of us."
Brazil fullback Marcelo trained on Thursday and should return after missing Madrid’s 6-2 demolishing of Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Madrid have won 12 straight games in all competitions ahead of the 10 December match against Barcelona, who trail the Spanish leaders by three points going into today’s crosstown match at Getafe.
Barcelona havn’t lost since last season, a run of 27 games that includes Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory at Milan. The Spanish and European champions are one match away from equalling the club record set last season.
Valencia are also coming off an impressive European victory, bouncing back from a loss to Madrid by thrashing Belgian club Racing Genk 7-0 on Wednesday.
Valencia are seven points behind Madrid in third place and travel to the Spanish capital today to play Rayo Vallecano.
Vallecano have been the top performing promoted team this season, sitting in 10th place and level on points with Atletico.
Athletic Bilbao are on a 10-game unbeaten run heading into tomorrow’s match against Granada, who are on the verge of a second victory in three games against Mallorca before a fan’s umbrella hit a referee in the cheek to force the game to be abandoned.
Bilbao centre back Jonas Ramalho is expected to remain in the squad after debuting in the victory against Sevilla. The teenager is the first black player to feature for the club, which has fielded only those born in the Basque region since its inception in 1898.
Bilbao are one point behind sixth-place Sevilla and a Europa League qualifying place, with the Andalucians looking to end a five-game winless run at Zaragoza tomorrow.