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Amazing Fun Facts You Should Know About La Liga Matches
The Spanish La Liga being one of the top 3 footballing leagues in the world possesses some of the deadliest teams in the world. Plus, it has also produced some of the world's most breathtaking matches. Since 2009, the Balon d'Or has been won by footballers plying their trade in La Liga.
Amongst the aforementioned deadly La Liga teams, are the Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Over the years, both these teams have met several times, each time giving the world a spectacle to watch in the showdown that has been tagged El Derbi Madrileño ”The Madrid Derby."
In light of the upcoming Madrid Derby, slated for the 10th of February, here are some amazing facts you should know.
Atletico was birthed as a club in 1903, just one year after Real Madrid in 1902. But, having had to go through the ranks from amateur to professional; these teams couldn’t face off professionally until 1929 — a fixture that ended in favor of city rivals Real Madrid.
Only Atletico has won at the Santiago Bernabeu for three seasons in a row
These three wins for Atletico came between the 2013 and 2016 season. A high point for the Rojiblancos.
These wins coming in the 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 seasons, and they ended 0-1, 1-2, 0-1, respectively.
Atletico didn't win a derby match between 2000 and 2013
For 13 years, Real Madrid totally dominated their rivals, winning 19 of 26 fixtures between both teams and having 7 of those ended in stalemates. Atletico had to wait 13 years before they could exert a win over Real Madrid.
During this period, Atletico fans and players were greatly disrespected by their Madrid neighbors with Real Madrid fans calling for a worthier opponent for their team in the derby.
Mythical Meanings
The Madrid Derby transcends the Ordinary eye. There are two fountains in the Madrid City Centre; one dedicated to Cibeles, the Roman goddess of Fertility and Agriculture, also known as the Mother goddess, and the other dedicated the Neptuno, the Roman god of the sea and fresh water.
If Real Madrid wins, fans flock to the fountain of Cibeles to celebrate and on the other hand, if Atlético wins, fans take over the fountain of Neptuno.
Awesome Nicknames
Over the years, both teams have had different nicknames bestowed upon them, by fans, by Spanish royalty, and so on.
Real Madrid are known as Los Blancos meaning The Whites in English, Los Merengues (The Meringues), and Los Vikings (The Vikings). Because of the Real Madrid culture of spending heavy, purchasing the world’s best superstars, they are also known as the Galacticos (Superstars).
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are called Los Rojiblancos (The Red and Whites), Los Colchoneros (The Mattress Makers) and Los Indios (the Indians).
Switching Allegiances
In about 90 years of being feisty neighbors, several players have defiled the rivalry between both clubs and switched allegiances. Between 1929 and 2019, 27 players in all have moved between both Madrid clubs, most times having to deal with hatred from the unforgiving fans after said move
The Biggest names being Jose Antonio Reyes, Santiago Solari, and Thibaut Courtois to mention a few. Even Real Madrid Legend, Raul Gonzalez Blanco, commonly known simply as Raul, started his career at the Atletico Madrid infantile team. This was before the President Jesus Gil decided to close the academy to cut cost.
The Ronaldo Impact
No one has tormented City rivals Atletico as much as the menace Cristiano Ronaldo. In the nine seasons that Ronaldo was at Real, he bagged 22 goals against Atletico Madrid making him the highest goal scorer of all time in the Madrid derby and Atletico Madrid’s tormentor-in-chief.
His 22 goals against the Rojiblancos includes a Champions League semi-final hattrick in 2017 UEFA Champions League and the final goal in the 2013/2014 UEFA Champions League final.
It must have lifted the spirit in the Atletico camp watching Ronaldo leave Real Madrid to sign for Italian giants Juventus.
First teams from the same city to face themselves in the UEFA competitions
In May 2014, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contested in the UEFA champions league final, the first ever derby in the final of any European competition.
In 2018, History was made again as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid faced off in the UEFA super cup. At that time Real Madrid were UEFA champions league winners and Atletico Madrid, UEFA Europa cup winners. This meeting made it the first time two teams from the same city faced off in the super cup.
Would there ever be another?
The Story of Manolo Sanchis
Now retired Real Madrid Defender, Manuel “Manolo” Sanchis Hontiiyuelo is the most capped player in the Madrid derby. Meaning he featured in the derby more times than any other player till date.
He appeared a total of 42 times in the colors of Real Madrid against neighbors, Atletico. Sanchis retired from playing football in 2001 after appearing in 710 games overall for Real Madrid, his only ever club. He is the third most capped player for real Madrid behind Raul and Iker Casillas who made 741 and 725 appearances for Real Madrid respectively.
Close but not so close
Being in the same city, you would normally expect these two sides to have their stadia within very close proximity. Depending on Perspective, the Wanda Metropolitan and the Santiago Berbaneu might not be close to each other. This is because it takes about 13 minutes to drive from one location to the other. It's highly doubtful that the fans have a problem with this though.
Runaway Winners
Real Madrid has won more games in the Derby match up against their city rivals Atletico.
In 221 matches spanning nine decades, Los Blancos have won 109 while Los Rojiblancos have won 56, and 56 of the matchups have ended in draws.
This statistic does not really reflect how much of a thorn the Red and Whites have been in the flesh of Real Madrid in recent years, but the fans and the Real Madrid players and coaching staff definitely know the feeling.
To Wrap It Up
The Madrid Derby, the second biggest derby in Spanish football behind the El Clasico, has always been a thrilling encounter and over the years. Even more, it has gotten more difficult for either Madrid team to register a win over their rivals.
The arch rivalry continues on the 10th of February.
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