Madrid Derby is perhaps the best derby in the world

Madrid Derby is the best derby in the world. Is there any discussion?

For some while, there has been no better derby in the world than Madrid-Atleti.

No other clash at a local level; not Milan-Inter, River-Boca or Arsenal-Tottenham can compare.

After a long period of time in which the derbies from Madrid scarcely had any emotion, the hand of Diego Simeone changed that.

Real Madrid also contributes its quota, by the way.

They've been European Champions in four of the last five years, two of them won against their capital city rivals.

But speaking of LaLiga Santander, the tables have turned.

It's been five years and eight months since Real Madrid won a league derby at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Three defeats and two draws in the last five matches between them.

Cholo only lost his first one, then, changed a losing dynamic that lasted a whopping 14 years.

Madrid have found in Europe the antidote for their league crisis against Atletico.

In those five years, apart from the two finals won, they've eliminated the Rojiblancos from Europe on two other occasions.

Last August, in the framework of the UEFA Super Cup, the champion of the Europa League was able to beat the winners of the Champions League.

Atleti could finally take a European title to Madrid.

It's not the Champions League, obviously, but it reflects that change of trend.

Sportingly, the duel grabs both teams in divergent trajectories.

Real Madrid were excellent against Roma ten days ago, but everything changed against Sevilla in midweek.

Julen Lopetegui's team lost the game and the possibility of becoming the sole leader of LaLiga Santander, a competition that's been elusive ever since Leo Messi imposed his law at the Camp Nou.

Atletico, meanwhile, arrive at the Madrid derby after their most comfortable victory of the season.

So much so that the mattress makers can edge ahead of Los Blancos if they manage to prevail on Saturday night.

At Real Madrid, the doubt lies in knowing how to get at Atleti without their two most outstanding players in the one against one.

Deprived of Marcelo and Isco, the team must be patient to find the openings against a rival that seems to enjoy defending.

Nacho brings defensive rigour, but isn't a can opener in attack.

They are Kroos and Modric with Casemiro sweeping from behind.

In attack, special responsibility will be placed on Marco Asensio's shoulders, since neither Bale nor Benzema usually enjoy the spaces they need to shine against Atletico.

The Mallorcan attacker will be in charge of looking for the imbalance in the one against one.

As regards Atleti, if a plan works, why change it.

Cholo has to manage up to six players for his four positions in midfield. although everything indicates that he will go with Koke, Saul, Thomas and the talented Lemar, since his only casualties are Savic and Gelson Martins.

The Madrid derby is here.

The best in the world.

Welcome.