Lopetegui Eyes Redemption In Madrid Derby

By Joshua Walters 

Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui, has backed his team to respond to Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Sevilla when the Los Blancos host Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby on Saturday.

The city rivals clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in a match day-7 fixture, and Lopetequi is asking his side to replicate their second-half performance against Sevilla.

The European Champions conceded three first-half goals at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán and could not get back into the game in the second half despite playing arguably their best performance so far this season in the final forty-five.

“The team is fine. We have a match every three days and, logically, we have had to respond. The second half against Sevilla backed it up. We talk about the physical side a lot when there are other footballing circumstances that happen in matches,” he said.

It is the second meeting of the two Madrid clubs this year, after the Super Cup which Diego Simeone's men won 4-2.

Lopetequi admits his side is up for a tough game, but says they are very ready for it.

“I expect an even game, very demanding and tough. You have to compete, as well as playing well. My team is going to be ready for the kind of match we have tomorrow. We’re up against a good side, a team set up for big games that have great players. We expect that the game will be played at the highest level and we’ll be prepared to match those levels."