Real Madrid receive an injury boost ahead of Atletico Madrid derby

Real Madrid have featured Luka Modric in their squad for the first time since the start of the month…

La Liga season has begun with a fast pace and it’s only going to continue. Both the Madrid sides are in good form, with Real Madrid sitting top of the table and Atletico Madrid in third. They will face each other tonight at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in what could end up being one of the most important ties of the season.

El Derbi is always difficult to call, especially when both teams are flying in terms of form. However, Atletico Madrid are bound to go in as slight favourites, given they are the home side. They have made their stadium a fortress and anyone who dares to enter must enter with caution.

However, luck is also on Zinedine Zidane’s side. Just in time, he is finally able to call upon Luka Modric again. The Croatia international has been sidelined since the start of the month due to a muscular problem but he is finally returning to full match fitness. Marcelo and Isco, on the other hand, are still not ready to feature in the squad. Here is the travelling squad in full…

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It remains to be seen whether or not Zidane decides to throw Modric into the deep end. I highly doubt he will start in this match since El Derbi is always physically demanding and not made for players returning to fitness. However, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Modric feature on the bench for this match.

Zidane needs to make all the right decisions if his side is to stand a chance tonight. For example, he must seriously consider starting Alphonse Areola over Thibaut Courtois since the latter is not reliable and may be put off by the sentimental side of this match for himself.

No matter what the starting lineups are, as a neutral fan one can expect to see plenty of action in this match. I mean, when the two sides met in the United States of America in the summer, Atletico Madrid thrashed Real Madrid by a scoreline of 7-3. Buckle up…

What is your score prediction for this season’s early instalment of El Derbi?