The Madrid Derby (Feat. Graham Hunter)
Real Madrid and Atlético are feuding over refereeing decisions and media hijinks, just in time for this title bout.
It’s first against second in La Liga, as REAL MADRID lead ATLÉTICO MADRID by just a point at the top of the table. Barcelona have fallen away somewhat from their hot start under new boss Hansi Flick, and now Spain’s capital quarrel may answer quite a few questions around who will be crowned champions in May.
It’s all happening just as managers Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti—egged on by the tempestuous football media in Spain—trade barbs over refereeing controversies and Real Madrid’s repeated shattering of Atléti hearts in recent times. This one goes way further back, though. It’s a dispute with roots in Spanish football’s earliest history and then—crucially—the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
For much of the ‘60s and ‘70s, as now, Atléti fought their way into the reckoning at the summit of Spanish football, forcing Real Madrid and Barcelona to take notice. The Colchoneros started out as a satellite of Athletic Club de Bilbao, gained then shedded associations with the Spanish military, and then the Madrid derby took on its modern shape: Real Madrid as the establishment club, the continental giants and serial winners. Atléti as the leftist, working-class outfit that proudly embraced a spirit of rebellion.
Here to trace it all and preview this weekend’s encounter is Graham Hunter, storied scribe of Spanish football for ESPN:
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Or check it out on APPLE PODCASTS🍎
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READS
⚽︎ The Premier League is determined to tackle every issue except the poor standard of officiating, so next up, they’re policing celebrations.
⚽︎ In the Guardian, Barney Ronay examines Marcus Rashford’s departure from Manchester United and how “no homegrown superstar mythology” will boost him at Aston Villa.
⚽︎ Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 this week, and Rory Smith reflected on the Portuguese forward’s present and (potential) future for The Athletic.
⚽︎ Discussions are under away at UEFA to scrap extra time in the Champions League knockout rounds and go straight to penalties. Yet again, we ask ourselves: Why?
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GEAR
👕 Cult Kits are out with another re-issue of those famous 1998 Mexican national team kits, this time with famous names on the back. Cuauhtémoc Blanco must be recognized.
👕 Those sweet Versailles kits are back in circulation at Classic Football Shirts, and I somehow missed this third shirt the first time around. Princely!⚽︎