Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio Willemsen lead Real Madrid to the victory in the derby against Atlético de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on matchday 17 LaLiga Santander 2020/2021. Real Madrid is currently top of the table in La Liga. It is a position that they have enjoyed for some time since the start of the season. 

They could keep up with their rivals last season, and this year has not been different. Last season, Real Madrid were runners-up. The team from Santiago Bernabeu has had a smooth start to the campaign and has managed 13 out of 17 wins so far. However, there is still plenty of football left to be played.

On the other hand, Barcelona managed a stalemate against Valencia at Estadio El Sadar on Sunday. The results were not enough to help them climb the La Liga table. They remain eighth in the league table and will look to bounce back next weekend when they play home at Camp Nou to Elche.

Barcelona’s recent form has seen them drop down the table. They lost 1-0 to Real Betis recently but have beaten Villarreal 3-1. Barca fell to Europa League for the first time in almost two decades after suffering a 3-0 loss against Bayern Munich in the group stage knockout. They also drew 0-0 with Benfica in the UEFA Champions League before their last match with Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid Derby Extend Their Lead in La Liga Against Atletico Madrid

Los Blancos dominate the La Liga standings with 42 points from 17 matches. They are 13 points ahead of the former La Liga Champions, Atlético Madrid, who are currently at the 4th position holding onto the UEFA Champions League qualifications. Karim Benzema opened the lead in the first half following a perfect cross from Vinicius Junior, making his 17th career goal against the Los Colchoneros in 20 appearances in all competitions.

Vinicius Junior became the man of the match after earning another assist for Marco Asensio. The Spanish professional footballer sealed a clean sheet for the Los Blancos in the second half. Carlo Ancelotti’s team maintained their extended unbeaten streak against Atletico Madrid to 11. Real Madrid hosts their next opponent’s Cadiz, on Sunday at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Here are the match lineups between the Real Madrid derby and Atletico Madrid:

Los Blancos 4-3-3 Lineup: Courtois; Alaba, Carvajal (Nacho 81), Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio (goal 57’), Benzema (goal16’), Vinicius 

Los Colchoneros 4-4-2 Line-Up: Oblak; Felipe, Hermoso; Llorente, Kondogbia, Correa, De Paul, Koke, Carrasco; Cunha, Griezmann.

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

Barca Let Three Points Slip from Their Grasp at Estadio El Sadar on Sunday 

Chimy Ezequiel Avila’s stunner goal at the 86th minute silenced Barca fans with a 2-2 draw who were hoping for an upset win over their hosts. Osasuna is currently in the 10th position in La Liga with only 2 points less behind Barca. Barca started well thanks to Nico Gonzalez and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, both 19 year old young stars.

However, defender David Garcia from Osasuna’s side scored the first goal for the Gorritz Oak Los Rojillos, followed by an equalizer from the hands of Chimy Ezequiel Avila almost in stoppage time. It was a low shot from outside the box that deflected in off through the right foot of Samuel Umtiti.

Barcelona remains 18 points behind Los Blancos and out of the UEFA Champions League qualification race. Xavi Hernández Creus, head coach at Barca, told reporters that the club needs a reset to establish a new Barcelona on Saturday following their defeat to Bayern Munich, which saw them exit the Champions League in the group stage. 

There is no difference in their previous performance as it is more of the same they had on Sunday against Osasuna in Pamplona, Navarra

In the 12th minute 17-year-old Pablo Martín Páez Gavira found Nico Gonzalez sending a clear-cut long through-ball breaking the Osasuna’s defense, leaving him with the chance to score and put Barca in the lead. 

However, 2 minutes later, David Garcia responded quickly with a close-range header that went in a close range to the right post of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barca had their second goal when the hosts complained about a handball from Sergio Busquets. The hosts never gave up and equalized with a goal from Avila that startled Barcelona.