El Derbi Madrileno or the Madrid Derby is without doubt one of the most extremely anticipated video games on the Spanish soccer calendar, and for good motive. Not solely are Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid residence to a number of the greatest gamers on the earth however there’s additionally no love misplaced between the 2 greatest groups in Madrid, which provides numerous spice to their matchups.
This yr, we’re getting handled to 4 Madrid derbies in Spain. They’ve already met twice, as soon as in La Liga and once more within the Supercopa de Espana semi-final, with Atletico Madrid profitable the previous and Actual Madrid popping out on prime within the latter. The 2 groups will meet once more within the Copa del Rey Spherical of 16 on Thursday (January 18) earlier than squaring off for the fourth time this season in La Liga on February 4.
In anticipation of the upcoming derbies, allow us to take a fast have a look at 5 gamers who’ve skilled the fun of El Derbi Madrileno from each side. Listed below are 5 prime gamers who’ve performed for each Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Particular be aware: Actual Madrid legend Santiago Bernabeu additionally donned Atletico Madrid’s jersey. However since he simply performed one match for Atletico throughout all the 1920-21 season, we’re conserving him off the listing.
#5 Marcos Llorente
Actual Madrid academy graduate Marcos Llorente rose by the membership’s ranks to earn a promotion to the primary workforce in July 2016. Nevertheless, as a consequence of competitors for locations, Madrid determined to mortgage him out to Alaves for extra expertise. After a stunning spell at Alaves, Llorente returned to the Santiago Bernabeu in July 2017 and performed an element in Madrid’s triumphant 2017-18 UEFA Champions League marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, Llorente’s minutes dried up significantly within the 2018-19 season, and he additionally didn’t obtain any assurances of normal involvement from the 2019-20 season. So, in an surprising transfer, Llorente joined Actual Madrid’s cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid for a €30 million payment in July 2019.
The versatile midfielder has since performed 176 video games for Atletico, scoring 24 occasions and offering 28 assists. Llorente emerged as one of the best participant within the division as Atletico gained the La Liga title in 2020-21, with the 28-year-old recording 12 objectives and 11 assists in 37 video games.
#4 Juanfran
Atletico Madrid legend Juanfran spent 4 years at Actual Madrid between 2001 and 2005. He joined Los Blancos’ U19 aspect from Kelme U19 earlier than incomes a well-deserved promotion to Actual Madrid Castilla in July 2003. Madrid additionally enrolled him into their senior workforce on the similar time. The previous Spain worldwide, nevertheless, didn’t carve out an area for himself within the first workforce and left completely for CA Osasuna in 2006. Previous to his exit, Juanfran performed solely 11 video games for Madrid, claiming two assists.
Juanfran joined Atletico Madrid following a powerful five-year spell at Osasuna. The previous right-back spent the subsequent eight years of his life at Atletico, scoring six objectives and offering 41 assists in 355 matches throughout competitions. He gained one La Liga title, two UEFA Europa Leagues, two UEFA Supercups, one Copa del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana with Diego Simeone’s workforce.
#3 Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata has been one in all Atletico Madrid’s key gamers since initially becoming a member of them within the 2018-19 season, pitching in with 54 objectives and 12 assists in 132 matches. This season alone, he has scored 17 occasions in 26 matches in all competitions and can play a key position as Atletico attempt to topple their cross-town rivals on Thursday.
Morata, nevertheless, was not meant to thrive on this aspect of city. He was as soon as the prince of Actual Madrid, a proud graduate of Madrid’s Canteras academy. Sadly, Morata’s emergence clashed with the extended rule of Karim Benzema, which means he needed to go away his boyhood membership to get common minutes. Earlier than becoming a member of Chelsea for €66 million ($71.93 million) in July 2017, Morata scored 31 objectives in 95 video games for Los Merengues, serving to them to 2 UEFA Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles amongst different honors.
#2 Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has emerged as one in all Actual Madrid’s most constant performers since becoming a member of the membership from Chelsea in the summertime of 2018. Overcoming a wobbly begin, the Belgian has produced quite a few inhumane saves for Los Blancos, propelling them to 2 La Liga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy within the final 5 years. The previous Blues goalkeeper has performed 230 matches for Madrid, conserving 91 clear sheets.
Earlier than making it massive at Chelsea and later Actual Madrid, Courtois had a superb three-year spell at Atletico Madrid. Between 2011 and 2014, the 31-year-old performed 154 matches for Los Colchoneros, shutting the attackers out in 76 video games. He gained one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Europa League with Madrid. He would have gained the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League as effectively had it not been for Actual Madrid’s sensational comeback within the ultimate.
#1 Hugo Sanchez
Among the best gamers Spain has ever seen, Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez moved to Europe with Atletico Madrid in July 1981. Los Rojiblancos loaned him again to UNAM Pumas for the 1981-82 season earlier than integrating him into their first workforce in July 1982. Over the subsequent three years, Sanchez performed 150 video games for Atletico in all competitions, scoring 75 occasions.
The legendary center-forward controversially moved to Atletico’s bitterest rivals Actual Madrid in July 1985 and kickstarted an period of unfathomable home dominance. With Sanchez main the assault, Madrid gained 5 consecutive La Liga titles between 1985-86 and 1989-90. In addition they gained 4 Copas del Rey earlier than Sanchez left for Membership America in 1992. Total, Sanchez performed 267 video games for the All-Whites, scoring 199 objectives.
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