Madrid Feb 7(V7N) —Tensions are at an all-time high ahead of Saturday's La Liga showdown between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, with refereeing controversies adding fuel to the fire.

League leaders Real Madrid (51 points) host their city rivals Atletico Madrid (50 points) at the Santiago Bernabeu, just one point ahead in the title race.

Madrid's frustration boiled over after last weekend’s shock loss to Espanyol. The club sent a formal letter to the Spanish football federation, claiming La Liga refereeing is "rigged" after Espanyol's Carlos Romero avoided a red card for a rough tackle on Kylian Mbappe, then went on to score the winner.

Atletico Madrid mocked Madrid’s complaints on social media, posting:
"Can you help us with the nuances of the following verbs? Pressure, scare, intimidate, coerce, frighten, influence, impose…"

Striker Antoine Griezmann criticized Madrid’s approach, saying:
"Now the referees will be afraid of making mistakes because they know they are being watched."

Mbappe missed the first league meeting between these teams due to injury but is expected to start. Carlo Ancelotti rested him in the midweek Copa del Rey win over Leganes (3-2) to ensure he is fully fit.

Madrid remain weakened at the back, with Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba all injured. This could force Ancelotti into a more defensive setup, despite having an attacking quartet of Vinicius Junior, Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.

Atletico, meanwhile, have no shortage of firepower. Alexander Sorloth, Griezmann, Julian Alvarez, and Angel Correa have all been in fine form, with Rodrigo De Paul controlling midfield.

Coach Diego Simeone joked about "parking the bus" at the Bernabeu but could opt for an aggressive approach given his team’s firepower.

Key Stats & Fixtures

  • 3 – Draws in the last four Madrid derbies
  • 6 – Goals scored by Alvarez, Sorloth, and Correa as substitutes this season
  • 181 – Girona’s Daley Blind leads La Liga in passes into the final third

Upcoming La Liga Fixtures

Friday:

  • Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Valladolid (20:00 GMT)

Saturday:

  • Celta Vigo vs. Real Betis (13:00 GMT)
  • Athletic Bilbao vs. Girona (15:15 GMT)
  • Las Palmas vs. Villarreal (17:30 GMT)
  • Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid (20:00 GMT)

Sunday:

  • Alaves vs. Getafe (13:00 GMT)
  • Valencia vs. Leganes (15:15 GMT)
  • Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol (17:30 GMT)
  • Sevilla vs. Barcelona (20:00 GMT)

Monday:

  • Real Mallorca vs. Osasuna (20:00 GMT)

With title implications on the line, expect a thrilling battle in Madrid—one likely to be defined by not just the players, but also the referees.