Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will face Atlético in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 this Tuesday. While Raúl Asensio and Antonio Rüdiger will have the tough task of stopping the Colchoneros, they have received a serious warning.
The Madrid derby is back this Tuesday. After two 1-1 draws in La Liga this season, the two biggest teams in Madrid will clash in the Champions League round of 16. Having eliminated Manchester City in the play-offs, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will host the first leg at a closed and fully packed Santiago Bernabéu. For this match, the defence, particularly the centre-backs set to feature, has received a strong warning from the coaching staff.
Defence on high alert
According to our sources, Carlo Ancelotti, who tested Raúl Asensio and Antonio Rüdiger during the latest training session, was very clear in his instructions. Given the gamesmanship of Atlético Madrid’s players, who often seek to win penalties, defenders have been instructed to avoid any reckless challenges in the box. To prevent a repeat of the scenario that led to a penalty against Real Madrid (Aurélien Tchouaméni’s challenge on Lino) in February, Asensio and Rüdiger have been urged to exercise extreme caution in the penalty area.
This warning applies to all players starting on Tuesday. Despite their strong league form, Atlético Madrid will likely adopt a deep defensive block. However, with lightning-fast players like Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Koke, their counter-attacks will be sharp and dangerous. Defensive awareness will be crucial. Fortunately, Raúl Asensio, the fastest defender in the squad, will be there to make use of his speed and expertise.
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