Real Madrid and Athletic star tonight a mini derby of the youth Champions, that arrives wrapped in fanfare of a great European night: at night for the prime time television. The stage is set by the reigning champion. And in case some incentive was missing, the presence of Fernando Torres on the visiting bench at Di Stéfano.
The meeting, in addition to the pass to the quarterfinals at stake, will serve to undo the tables that they maintain this season in their direct duels in group 5 of the Division of Honor. Hernán Pérez’s men won (0-1) on the first day, with a goal by Calleja in a rojiblanco fiefdom. The Atlético returned the coin a little over a month ago in Valdebebas, with a great goal from Pablo Barrios (0-1) that helped the rojiblancos stand out as leaders: they have seven points over the whites. They both come from winning their respective commitments Cup: Madrid against Villarreal (1-2) and Atlético against Las Palmas (2-6).
Hernán Pérez reinforces the white ranks with three Castilla players: Peter, David González and Aranda. In addition, he has several regulars in Raúl’s calls. Among them, Mario Martín, Marvel or Álvaro, author of one of the goals of the subsidiary on Sunday against Linares. He also has Bruno Iglesias, one of the Valdebebas diamonds and who is the whites’ top scorer in this edition (three goals).
Atlético visits Valdebebas with reasons to be optimistic. It has been growing until it is an almost hermetic block: it has only received six goals in the League. Iturbe is brilliant. Fernando Torres also has deluxe boosters. Carlos Martín, a regular in the first team calls and one of the mainstays of B (he has scored nine goals), will accompany Salim in the attack. And Javi Serrano, another of the Academy’s jewels and one of Simeone’s favourites, is expected in midfield: dedication, determination, good touch and pure cholism under Torres’ orders.
Possible elevens of the Real Madrid-Athletic
REAL MADRID: Diego Pineiro; Ferrán Ruiz, Asencio, Marvel, Obrador; Javi Villar, Mario Martin; Peter, Bruno Iglesias; Aranda and Salazar.
ATHLETIC: Iturbe; Sergio Diez, Ibrahima, Navarro, Kostis; Barrios, Currás, Serrano or Gismera, Corral; Carlos Martin and Salim.
• Referee: Harm Osmer (Germany).
• Stadium: Alfredo DiStefano.
• Hour: 9:00 p.m. (Real Madrid TV and Movistar+ #Vamos).
The whites prevailed in this same round of 16 three years ago
Tonight’s will be the second Madrid derby in the short history (the eighth edition is being played) of this Youth League. The two teams met in this same round three years ago. It was March 6, 2019, with Real Madrid in shock by the elimination of the Champions at the hands of Ajax the night before. The white youths, trained by Dani Poyatos, ruined the night for the 2,800 red-and-white fans who attended the main field of Cerro del Espino.
The Real Madrid youth players celebrate one of the goals against Atlético in the round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League 2018-2019.
CHEMA DIAZ (JOURNAL AS)
Madrid flaunted its effectiveness. Fran García, now at Rayo, put the whites ahead in the only shot that both teams made between the three sticks in the first half. Mollejo, now on loan from the rojiblancos at Tenerife, equalized with a header. A penalty from Ricard to Pulido was converted by Alberto (who currently plays for UCAM Murcia) to qualify Madrid, who then fell in the round of 16 against Hoffenheim.
From that game, Ricard, Montero, Sanabria, Riquelme, Valera, Mollejo and Camello have made their debut in the mattress first team. And Fran García, Chust, Blanco and Miguel Gutiérrez have done it with the whites. The last three and Baeza were proclaimed champions under the command of Raúl, a year and a half later…