Real Madrid

The Madrid derby at the weekend was another tight, claustrophobic affair. Atletico and Real's two previous competitive encounters this season ended scoreless. Only a piece of invention by Vinicius Junior early in the second half—cutting out three opposition players with a deft pass, which sent Ferland Mendy racing clear of Atletico's cover before he crossed for Karim Benzema to score—helped to separate the two sides.

It was another scrappy win by Real Madrid, which keeps them three points clear at the top of the league table in Spain. Only Benzema is carrying his load up front—he has scored 13 goals in their league campaign, one fewer than Lionel Messi this season. The next-highest scorers in the league for coach Zinedine Zidane's side are on three goals, one of them being Sergio Ramos, a central defender. 

"I've been going to see Real Madrid play for many years. They have always been more attacking," says Jose Garcia, who has watched Real Madrid games at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since the 1960s.  

"I find Zinedine Zidane is too conservative. It was the same in the match against Atletico, as it has been in other recent matches—starting the match playing with five midfielders. The line-up means that you give a message to the other team—that you're frightened. Now Real Madrid has got a fabulous squad. He should be a bit more aggressive.

"But you cannot blame Zidane because he can always say, 'I won three Champions League titles,' but I feel that if I have to pay a fortune to go from Galicia—where I now live—to see Real Madrid play, I'd like to see another type of football. I'm not a fan who only looks at the scoreboard. I like to enjoy good football."

Real Madrid—who have been missing Eden Hazard, their summer galactico signing, for much of the season through injury—might not be entertaining, but they are finding ways to get the job done. They are on a 21-game unbeaten run that stretches back to October, with only two defeats in all campaigns this season and some silverware already bagged after their Spanish Super Cup win in Saudi Arabia in January.

The 21-year-old box-to-box Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde—who was man of the match in the Spanish Super Cup final despite being sent off—has been the revelation of Real Madrid's season, stepping into the gap presented by the club's failure to land Paul Pogba from Manchester United. That Diario AS' match report at the weekend labelled him "the find of the century" goes some way to explaining the impact he has had. He's an identikit Real Madrid player—all-action, full of fight.

"The Bernabeu loves Fede Valverde because of his qualities—he's direct, fast, a competitor," says Manuel Bruna, a journalist with Mundo Deportivo. "He flies around the pitch. He's always looking to arrive into the box.

"The fans at Real Madrid prefer football that's fast, direct, the typical English [counter-attacking] style. If it's beautiful, marvellous, but what they really want is to vibrate. They want action. They want their players to harass their rivals. The Bernabeu doesn't like when the ball is moved slowly around the pitch, going nowhere. They will whistle that. That's why they love Valverde.

"Above all, the thing that interests Real Madrid fans is winning. If the team plays attractive football, all the better, but in the end what obsesses them is winning. This has been the way all of their history. Real Madrid's brand is to fight until the end, to never give up—to fight for every ball until the ref blows the final whistle. This fighting spirit had been lost a little bit over the last couple of years."

That Real Madrid have come from a low base partly explains the patience their fans have this season with the team's results-based performances. They have just endured two ignominious league campaigns, in which they finished 19 and 17 points adrift of title winners, Barcelona, respectively. What stands out this season is their defensive solidity; they have only conceded 13 goals in the league, the lowest tally at this point in the season in their history.

"Zidane realised [when he returned as manager in March 2019] that without Cristiano Ronaldo he had to change things a bit," says Jaime Rodriguez, a journalist with El Mundo. "He no longer has a superstar up front. He had to find other solutions. That's why he wanted to buy Pogba. He couldn't get him, so he 'invented' Valverde—to make the team solid, rock-solid, defensively stronger, powerful in centre field. From there the quality of Benzema, Toni Kroos, Isco could prosper.

"Within the club, they're satisfied with the way the season has gone, given that Zidane was on the verge of being fired in October. The club saw it was going to be a difficult year of transition. Zidane has given a second life to players that were almost dead—players who looked like their race was run, like Kroos and Luka Modric. He's got them in the right frame of mind again.

"He has made Real Madrid very competitive. The question is: Will it be enough to win the big titles, will they be able hang in there with Messi's Barcelona in the league and proceed in the Champions League? They're missing goals to win the Champions League—a top striker to score in the decisive moments of the tournament, but in the league they look good. In the last Clasico of the season—which is in early March—if they get a good result, they should win the title."

Barcelona is always a counterpoint in debates about Real Madrid. It is interesting that Barcelona felt compelled to discard their manager last month—when the club was top of the league table—in part because of concerns the style of football Ernesto Valverde's team was playing wasn't exciting enough and too removed from their possession-based brand of play.

"At Real Madrid, there isn't a strict style of play," says Rodriguez. "It's not as clearly defined as in Barcelona. At Barca, they've arrived at this situation, which is a bit bizarre. Sometimes, they become almost a caricature of themselves.

"To get rid of your trainer when you're leading the league—and are going well in the Champions League, a trainer that has won back-to-back league titles—only because his style of football is not as beautiful as expected, appears a bit frivolous. From the first four games of Quique Setien in charge, we haven't seen a change. We haven't seen a symphony of football. It looks very like what has gone before. Barca is a victim of its own philosophy.

"At Real Madrid, the perspective is more pragmatic, more competitive. They have won titles with Jose Mourinho [and Fabio Capello], who were very defensive. Sure, they have fired trainers before like, for example, Jupp Heynckes [after winning the UEFA Champions League in 1998]—and there have been others—because the football was ugly, but with Zidane, there doesn't exist that concept. The fans are content. If they weren't happy, they would be whistling in the stadium." 

After a toxic atmosphere at the club last season—when it was out of all three competitions by early March, including an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to a youthful Ajax team in the Champions League at the Bernabeu—it is interesting to note how quickly the club has moved on from the Cristiano Ronaldo era.

Jotting down some clubs' weak points ahead of the summer window (yep, we're already there), and I've come to Real Madrid...they are STACKED.

Hakimi back, I'd give Jovic another year, so...*scrapes bottom of barrel*...a CM? They're in such a healthy position.

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) February 2, 2020

Even though Real Madrid are struggling for goals this season, fans aren't pining for the man who scored 450 in nine seasons in a Real Madrid jersey, and has just scored in nine successive league games for Juventus as they march towards another Serie A title in Italy. It seems they've turned the page.

"Real Madrid fans don't regret he left," says Bruna. "Yes—when things were going badly last season, for example, and again at the start of this season when it was apparent that Real Madrid's team had lost some of its character, people dwelt on the absence of Cristiano and his fighting spirit and the goals he brought to the team. People wondered if he was still here, maybe things would be different.

"But now that the team is winning again, nobody mentions Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes—fans are talking about the trouble Real Madrid is having scoring goals, but nobody is saying, 'Oh, if we had Cristiano, we'd have more goals.' The thing that people miss about him the most is his character—he's a natural-born winner—not his goals."

Real Madrid have a big test on the horizon. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City visit on Feb. 26 for a first-leg UEFA Champions League knockout tie, and a league game against Barca will follow four days later. For now, though, there is a sense of tranquillity, a belief that Zidane will do the business—without a concern for aesthetics.

"This season has surprised everyone because it started very badly—with the 7-3 defeat to Atletico in New Jersey in pre-season—but the team is growing," says Rodriguez. "I see that people at the Bernabeu are content, but also realistic. Their team has a lot of experience. 

"They know the importance of having a superstar that scores decisive goals—a Messi, a Cristiano, a Neymar, an Mbappe or a Harry Kane—and they don't have that star now, so the successes have to come by a different route. It could be from defence, midfield. For that reason, people are prudent. For that reason, people thought it would be a disaster of a year, but actually Zidane has re-activated the team.

"There's calm, more than expectation, but knowing Zidane, and knowing the club, I would warn rivals of Real Madrid not to relax or be too confident about themselves. This club has been able to win Champions League titles without Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2000, for example, the club won a Champions League with a team full of 'middle-class' players and with five in defence. I'm sure that Guardiola won't be very calm before City's match against Real Madrid."

                

Follow Richard on Twitter: @Richard_Fitz

Inter Miami are reportedly ready to double Luka Modric's salary in order to tempt the midfielder away from Real Madrid. 

The Florida-based outfit, part-owned by David Beckham, are set to enter MLS for the 2020 season, which begins at the end of February.

They are still making the final preparations for their debut season, and they include going after both Modric and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, per Marca (h/t Football Espana).

The report added Inter Miami are prepared to double Modric's salary, but the Croatian does not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, where he has a contract until June 2020.

Cavani, meanwhile, was linked with an exit from PSG in the January transfer window.

He stayed put, but with his contract expiring in the summer, it seems all but certain the 32-year-old is in his last few months at the Parc des Princes.

The Uruguayan striker could be devastating in MLS given he still has a supreme goalscoring instinct, and a move to Miami for Cavani seems a genuine possibility.

Modric, though, will likely take more persuading. The rise in prominence of Fede Valverde this season has limited the 34-year-old's opportunities slightly. He has only started 11 of Real's 22 La Liga games this term.

But he remains a crucial component in Zinedine Zidane's side, and unlike last season, it is a side that looks to be going places.

With the Frenchman back at the helm, Real are the front-runners for the La Liga title while Barcelona are struggling for consistency under new manager Quique Setien:

📊🔝 @FCBarcelona's win helps them close the gap on leaders @realmadriden!#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/1mjOBpaJqa

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 2, 2020

Los Blancos are also in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, and the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

When the draw was made for the last 16 and Real were pitted against Manchester City, the Sky Blues were, for many, favourites to advance.

Now, though, Pep Guardiola's side look vulnerable having won just two of their last five in all competitions, and Real are unbeaten since October.

Modric is unlikely to be considering any departure from the Bernabeu while Real fight for silverware on multiple fronts. 

Real Madrid forward Luka Jovic has opened up on his struggle for form at the club this season. 

Jovic arrived at Los Blancos in the summer in a high-profile transfer, having built a reputation as one of European football's best young strikers. However, his switch to the Spanish capital hasn't gone to plan, with just one La Liga goal to show for his efforts in the 2019-20 season and only four starts in the Spanish top flight.

Speaking to Sports Afternoon with Kristina (h/t AS), the Serbia international has said he's unsure why he's found goalscoring so difficult for his new club:

"Honestly, I'm not happy with the season, at least until now. First because I can be better. Sometimes on YouTube I see videos of me last year, and I ask myself 'what happened?'

"But we all know that Real Madrid is a huge club and ... it's difficult for the players with experience to get used to it. And even more for 21-year-olds they have paid €60 million for. The pressure is huge, I have fought until now without success. But hope the situation changes.

"... There is a negative atmosphere when people speak about my form at Real Madrid, but I believe that I will show people the reason why I am here."

Jovic spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Frankfurt from Benfica and scored 27 times in 48 appearances. 

Here is a reminder of how potent a finisher he can be when he's got confidence:

"I will tell you sincerely, I never had doubts about my quality," Jovic added. "I always believed that I had the talent for the biggest things; I always believed that I am the best."

When Madrid signed the striker it was deemed a coup, as Jovic was linked with a number of big-name clubs across the continent.

While he wasn't expected to become a first-team regular in his debut campaign, manager Zinedine Zidane would have wanted Jovic to provide serious competition to Karim Benzema at the point of the attack. However, that fight for the centre-forward berth has not materialised.

Following the team's 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey, Kiyan Sobhani of Managing Madrid compared the performances of the two players:

The main difference between Jovic and Benzema in one stat. They both had 16 touches tonight. Benzema came on for Jovic in the 73rd minute...

Wrote about it in yesterday's column. Benzema is relentless. He has to be in every build-up sequence. In turn, not cold in front of goal.

— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) January 30, 2020

Benzema also netted the winning goal for Los Blancos in their victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday:

💜 @Benzema is having a 🔥 season in #LaLigaSantander!

Comment below your favourite @Benzema goals of this season! 👇 pic.twitter.com/yheBKzkkMZ

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 3, 2020

While Madridistas will be disappointed with the output from Jovic so far, they will likely at least be pleased with his apparent determination to rediscover his best.

With Madrid in contention for La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey this term, there will be opportunities for Jovic to show Zidane what he's capable of. The Serb will need to seize one to avoid some potentially awkward conversations in the summer.

There's a sense of momentum building around Real Madrid's season, and manager Zinedine Zidane will not want that to slip on Thursday, when they face Real Sociedad in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Los Blancos were 1-0 winners over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, ensuring they remained top of the table ahead of their rivals Barcelona. Ahead of that encounter, they advanced into the last eight of the Copa, beating Real Zaragoza 4-0.

Sociedad are a dangerous outfit, though, and possess players capable of deciding any game. It will also be an opportunity for Martin Odegaard to show what he can do at the Bernabeu; the Norwegian sensation is on loan at La Real from Madrid and has shone this season.

        

Date: Thursday, February 6

Time: 6 p.m. (GMT), 1 p.m. (ET)

Live Stream: ESPN Plus (U.S.)

       

Odds 

Real Madrid win (6/13)

Draw (15/4)

Real Sociedad win (31/5)

Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.

      

Preview

Although both teams have made a number of changes to their teams in the previous Copa del Rey matches, with the prize just three games away, Zidane and his opposite number Imanol Alguacil will start to take the tournament a little more seriously.

Madrid will be favourites for this encounter, as they've developed into a functional and cohesive outfit.

Their win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday was emblematic of the kind of football they are playing at the moment. 

Given Zidane doesn't have a number of star attackers to call on, he's depending on strong defensive play and clinical finishing to get through matches; on Saturday, Karim Benzema provided the latter:

Per OptaJose, no team has had a better defensive record than this Madrid outfit at this stage of the La Liga season.

13 - @realmadriden have conceded just 13 goals after 22 LaLiga games this season, their best defensive total at this stage in the competition’s history. Power. pic.twitter.com/RPBOoQea4V

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 1, 2020

Sociedad have the talent to cause problems. Odegaard has been fantastic in the main, albeit his form has tailed off slightly in recent weeks. The man Madrid will have to pay closest attention to will be Alexander Isak, who has found his goalscoring touch.

The Sweden international has been banging in the goals of late:

Alexander Isak's last 10 games for Real Sociedad:

⚽ v Leganés
⚽⚽ v Osasuna
⚽ v Mallorca
⚽ v Espanyol
❌ v Betis
❌ v Ceuta
❌ v Villarreal
⚽ v Osasuna
⚽⚽ v Becerril
⚽ v Barça

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) February 2, 2020

Where La Real may struggle on Thursday is at the back, having failed to strike a balance between their attacking play and a strong defence.

After Isak gave them the lead at Leganes, they crumbled against their relegation-threatened hosts to lose 2-1. Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz got the winner for Leganes in the 94th minute, and recovering from that blow will be a big challenge for them at the Bernabeu.

With La Liga and the Champions League still the priorities for Madrid this season, expect some rotation from Zidane, especially in the midfield and forward positions. Provided they retain their defensive focus and aggression, the capital club will eventually prevail in another tight encounter.

Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has said that despite rumours linking the Real Madrid star with a return to Tottenham Hotspur in January, the Premier League club did not make an approach for him and he's unlikely to play for them again.

Asked whether Tottenham made an attempt to sign Bale in January, Barnett told TalkSport (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"No. [Spurs chairman Daniel Levy] may have [visited Madrid], it's not for me to say whether he did or didn't.

"Gareth is very happy over there. And let's be realistic: for most clubs, he is out of their league, financially.

"It is all well and good to say, 'give up that money and go and play somewhere else,' but it is not all about money. It is about his lifestyle and his children, who have grown up in Madrid."

Bale was on the verge of leaving Real for the Chinese Super League last summer, but he stayed put after Los Blancos withdrew from the deal.

Barnett suggested the 30-year-old won't be considering his future again until his contract expires, per ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland:

"I've had conversations and Gareth has had conversations that he's still a very important part of Real Madrid. The only people who really know what's going on are Mr Zidane, Gareth and the president. They know what's going on and they're all happy with the situation."

— Alex Kirkland (@alexkirkland) February 3, 2020

When asked whether Bale might return to Spurs in 2022, the agent added: "I don't think so, no."

The winger made 203 appearances for the Lilywhites prior to joining Real in 2013, scoring 56 goals and contributing 58 assists.

His output since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu has been highly impressive, as sports scientist and coach Simon Brundish highlighted:

Gareth Bale has scored 105 goals, made 67 assists in 193 full games for Real Madrid

That’s a goal or assist every 106mins

Over 7 seasons

Yet he’s some kind of liability

— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) February 1, 2020

Bale's efforts have helped Real to win four UEFA Champions League titles, La Liga and the Copa del Rey, among other honours.

Injuries have dogged him for much of his time in Spain, though. Per Transfermarkt, he has missed 85 matches for Real because of fitness-related issues.

Bale reportedly earns in the region of £350,000 per week after tax. Between his wages, age and injury record, he has a limited pool of options outside Madrid unless he's prepared to take a significant pay cut.

He could end up extending his stay in Madrid, but he will need to be available more if he wants to remain a top earner there. Injuries have restricted Bale to 15 appearances this season, and he has scored three goals.

Zinedine Zidane absolved his players of blame for a muted first-half performance that forced him into making a double change in Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The Los Blancos manager took off Toni Kroos and Isco for Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior at the break after Atleti outplayed his side:

HT 0-0. 255 mins these teams have now played without a goal. Madrid not great. Atletico significantly better but they can't score.

— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnutt_) February 1, 2020

The switch worked. Vinicius played a key role in Karim Benzema's 56th-minute goal, which secured Real a rare home victory against their city rivals in the league:

FT: 1-0

BIG win for Real Madrid in terms of title race as they go 6pts clear of Barça (in action Sun.) The French connection Mendy - Benzema snapped up only goal of the match. Fede Valverde outstanding again. 1st loss for Atleti at SB since 2012 in #LaLiga#RealMadridAtleti

— Semra Hunter (@SemraHunter) February 1, 2020

Zidane told reporters after the win that the changes were necessary because he set up the team wrong: "I had to change things. I wasn't happy with what I was seeing, but it wasn't the players' fault; it was mine. I didn't want to point a finger at anyone, even less so at Isco and Toni, who are very good players. I'm happy for the win, for all of the players, and everyone is happy with the result."

Having started with five midfielders, Real switched to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half.

Benzema turned home from six yards after Vinicius fed Ferland Mendy in space in the left channel and the left-back squared across the box.

It was the Frenchman's 13th league goal of the season. Only Lionel Messi has netted more with 14.

Real have won four on the bounce in La Liga and have not lost a game in the Spanish top flight since October's 1-0 reverse at Mallorca in an unbeaten run of 13 games.

They are the clear front-runners for the La Liga title given Barca have been showing variable form under new manager Quique Setien. Real moved six points clear at the top ahead of Barcelona's clash against Levante on Sunday.

Even though the squad is largely the same, Real look a different prospect from last season, when their title challenge never materialised and both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari were sacked in the course of the campaign.

Much of the credit should be given to Zidane:

Reckon Zidane spent his year off immersing himself in tactics, strategy. His game management is so much more proactive now. Prime example: double sub of Vinicius and Lucas at half-time. Bold move but absolutely needed. I doubt the old Zidane would have done that.

— Andy West (@andywest01) February 1, 2020

His record as Real manager is staggering. In his first two-and-a-half-year spell in charge, he won nine trophies, including three successive UEFA Champions Leagues.

Since his return to the Santiago Bernabeu dugout last March, Zidane has added the Spanish Super Cup for his 10th, and it would be a surprise were more not forthcoming in the remainder of the season.     

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in Saturday's derby, keeping hold of their top spot in La Liga with a pivotal win over their local rivals. Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the match. 

Atletico had the better chances before the break, but Zinedine Zidane made the right changes at half-time, and Los Blancos dominated the second half. Benzema opened the scoring after 56 minutes with his first-ever goal against Atletico at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The win means Real now have six points more than second-placed Barcelona, who will host Levante on Sunday.

Real controlled possession early in the contest, but the best chances fell to Atletico throughout the first half. Los Blancos struggled with the pace and physicality of their forwards, but the Rojiblancos' issues in front of goal hurt them yet again.

AS' Robbie Dunne thought Real were lucky their opponents were not efficient:

If a clinical team played Madrid, you’d have to worry about them. Atlético, who have been close to awful for a couple of weeks, are the better side here.

— Robbie Dunne (@robbiejdunne) February 1, 2020

Sergio Ramos headed the first chance of the match over the crossbar, and the defender also missed with a shot from the penalty spot. On the other end of the pitch, Saul Niguez's shot went narrowly wide.

Angel Correa hit the post from a tight angle, and Alvaro Morata was furious he wasn't awarded a penalty when Casemiro clearly pulled him to the ground.

Per sports writer Dermot Corrigan, the ball should have gone on the spot:

Looks a penalty that for me - Casemiro does well to 'disguise' the foul as he tried to make up for his own letting Saul go, then poor touch in the box.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 1, 2020

Benzema also wanted a penalty after minor contact with Felipe, and replays confirmed it was the right decision not to award it.

The last chance of the half fell to Luka Modric, who finally put Jan Oblak to work with a curling shot.

Los Blancos brought on Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr. at the break and started the second half well, testing Oblak almost immediately through Federico Valverde. 

Atletico struggled to contain Real's wide men, and it was no surprise the breakthrough came after one of them got loose. Ferland Mendy played in a great ball for Benzema, who pushed the ball past Oblak after 56 minutes.

EiF thought Zidane's half-time changes paid off:

That’s so good by Vinicius and Mendy to set up Benzema for a big goal.

Madrid were pretty pedestrian in the first half, but as he typically does, Zidane made early, proactive substitutions and it’s helped immediately.

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 1, 2020

Real didn't let up and pushed for more goals, but a cross from Dani Carvajal found no one. Felipe cleared a cross from Benzema before Valverde got get his head to it, and Vinicius powered a shot straight at Oblak.

Modric just missed from a promising position, firing wide, while Thomas Partey didn't have any more luck, blasting over. Vinicius did better, but he could only aim a shot at Oblak after a clever run. 

The introduction of Sergio Camello and Yannick Carrasco was supposed to inject some pace into Atletico's attack, but without a natural target man, the Rojiblancos seemed lost. Morata had gone off early in the second half with a knock, and Diego Simeone's troops never found a backup plan.

   

What's Next?

Los Blancos will host Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Atletico face Granada in La Liga on Saturday..  

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard will not be fit in time to face Atletico Madrid in Saturday's derby, while Gareth Bale and Rodrygo are also out of the squad.

Per AS, manager Zinedine Zidane will not take any risks with the former Chelsea man. He has been out with an injury since November.

Per Tom Alnutt of Agence France-Presse, Zidane said Hazard has been training with the squad and could be fit in time, but he would rather not rush him back. 

Los Blancos have coped with his absence well, not losing a single match since he went down with an ankle injury in the UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Real sit first in the La Liga standings, three points ahead of defending champions Barcelona.

Rodrygo has been one of the main replacements of Hazard in the past few months and played in Real's last La Liga outing, a win over Real Valladolid. It's unclear whether he isn't in the squad due to injury or for tactical reasons.

Bale has also been used as a replacement for Hazard, and he trained with the rest of the squad on Friday, per Het Laatste Nieuws' Kristof Terreur. There was speculation he could be moving to England in a deadline-day move, but his agent rubbished those reports, per the Daily Mail's Kieran Gill. 

With Bale, Hazard and Rodrygo out of the squad, Real's attacking depth is limited going into Saturday's match. Brahim Diaz and Marco Asensio also aren't part of the squad, leaving Karim Benzema, Luka Jovic, Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr. as the only natural forwards in the team.

Atletico's vaunted defence has lived up to the expectations this season, conceding a second-best 14 goals so far in La Liga. Only Real's defence has been better, letting in 13 goals in 21 outings.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has shut down the possibility of Gareth Bale making a deadline-day return to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday. 

The Times reported there was a "growing confidence" at Tottenham that they could sign Bale on Friday following talks in Madrid between chairman Daniel Levy and Real president Florentino Perez.

However, Zidane said at his Friday press conference, per the Mirror's Alex Richards: "Gareth is here with us, and I am counting on him. I am not contemplating this possibility [Bale leaving]."

He made 203 appearances for Tottenham before making his move to Los Blancos in 2013, bagging 56 goals and 58 assists.

Bale's future has been up in the air at the Santiago Bernabeu since last summer, when he was on the verge of leaving for the Chinese Super League before Real withdrew from the deal.

He has only made 15 appearances this season, scoring three times, although his limited appearances have been due to various injury issues. Whenever he's been fit, he has been a regular starter under Zidane in this campaign.

Tottenham are in need of firepower for the second half of the campaign, as they're set to be without Harry Kane until April because of an injury to his hamstring which required surgery.

Bale has 105 goals and 65 assists in 246 games for Real, so he'd fit the bill, but pulling off a deal for him would be very complicated given he's said to earn £500,000 per week.

Football writer Karl Matchett suggested signing him would be "near-impossible" unless the deal would be funded by sponsorships, Bale agreed to a significant pay cut or Spurs offered Madrid first refusal on at least one "major talent."

What's more, Tottenham have already snapped up Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven for £27 million on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old—who can play on either flank, up front or as a No. 10—contributed six goals and 13 assists for PSV this season.

Real Madrid have the chance to move six points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday, when they welcome city rivals Atletico Madrid to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were able to capitalise on Barcelona's slip-up at Valencia a week ago, with their win at Real Valladolid on Sunday being enough to put them three points ahead in the Spanish top flight.

With Barcelona not in action until Sunday when they host Levante, Real have the chance to pull even further clear in the derby. They will be big favourites against Atletico, as Diego Simeone's side have struggled for form since the turn of the year.

Here are the latest odds for the match, as well as all the key viewing details.

        

Odds

Real Madrid win (83-100)

Draw (51-20)

Atletico Madrid win (7-2)

Odds courtesy of Caesars.

         

Date: Saturday, February 1

Time: 3 p.m. (GMT), 10 a.m. (ET)

TV Info: beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

       

Preview

Although Real and Barcelona have been jostling at the top of the table for long spells of the campaign, there's been a sense that Zinedine Zidane's side are the most secure and dependable outfit.

That's beginning to show, with Los Blancos' solidity in defence and midfield control making them difficult to beat. The win at Valladolid epitomised those qualities, as they emerged victorious courtesy of Nacho's goal despite not being at their best:

The defender was an unlikely scorer, but Zidane will be delighted by the way other players in his squad have stepped up to cover for injuries and loss of form in his front line.

A number of forwards did rediscover their goalscoring touch in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, with Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr. all finding the net in the 4-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.

With Gareth Bale also close to a return to fitness, Zidane will have some big decisions to make in attack.

The same goes for Simeone, who has endured a torrid time recently. His team were beaten by Eibar in La Liga, knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Cultural Leonesa and then held to a 0-0 draw at home by Leganes last weekend:

Those poor league results have effectively ended their slim chances of a title challenge, with Atletico's focus now likely to be adjusted towards finishing in the top four. They are in fifth but level on points with Getafe, who are a place ahead.

However, it's easy to see Atletico losing more ground this weekend. In the past, their aggression and cohesion have caused problems for their city rivals at the Bernabeu, although this isn't a side currently bristling with the traits Simeone demands from his players.

While Atletico are still strong defensively—only Real have conceded less goals than them this season in La Liga—22 goals from their 21 top-flight games in 2019-20 is a meagre return for a team with so much talent.

With confidence low and Joao Felix injured for Atleti, Real have enough at the back to keep their rivals out and enough in the rest of the team to net a decisive goal at some point.

Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid