Atlético Madrid – Real Madrid: Riyadh Air Metropolitano Became A Curse For Los Blancos (2-1)

The Metropolitano stadium remained a tough nut to crack for Real Madrid. José Mourinho approached the game as an underdog and reaped the underdog result. Real Madrid looked toothless in every phase of the game, extending their stretch of underperformance against big teams.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

In the last eleven visits to Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Real Madrid struggled to find a positive run of results. Los Blancos won only two times, drew on four occasions, and lost five games. In general, Real Madrid hasn't found an escape or a solution to the run of underperforming shows against big teams. The board changed Carlo Ancelotti and replaced him with Xabi Alonso in the hope of bringing stability to the white ship. However, due to problems with the stars, Alonso was sacked, and Arbeloa took charge in the dugout. Real Madrid kept changing coaches, but the results remained the same. In the end, Los Blancos returned to old acquaintances. José Mourinho took over, looking to get Real Madrid back on track.

The Madrid derby was José Mourinho's first big test away from Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid started with Denzel Dumfries as a right back and Marc Cucurella as a left back. Ibrahima Konaté and Dean Huijsen led the defense. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde slotted in as double pivots. Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler flanked Jude Bellingham, who operated behind Kylian Mbappé.

Diego Simeone fielded the same back three who started Real Sociedad's game in Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, and Dávid Hancko. Alejandro Grimaldo and Giulian Simeone . . .