BARCELONA, Spain: Barring a quick recovery for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema or a change of strategy by Atlético Madrid, Sunday’s Spanish capital derby will be played mostly without the rivals’ leading stars.
Benzema is expected to miss the match at Atlético after being sidelined last week with a right leg injury he picked up in the 3-0 win at Celtic in the Champions League.
But the hosts could likewise be without goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who is also injured, while once again it seems likely that forward Antoine Griezmann will be limited to playing the final half hour because of a dispute between Atlético and Barcelona regarding his loan deal.
Madrid arrive to the derby on a roll, picking up from where they finished last season when they won both the European Cup and the Spanish league. Madrid have started the season with eight wins in as many games across all competitions and leads the league.
Atlético have had a lackluster start and enter the game five points behind in seventh place in the Spanish league.
Atlético coach Diego Simeone’s biggest problem, oddly enough, has been created by his own club.
Atlético have apparently asked Simeone to limit the minutes Griezmann plays in an attempt to avoid having to pay Barcelona 40 million euros ($40 million) stipulated in his loan contract if he played more than half the available minutes.
Barcelona say that Atlético should already pay the sum after the France forward played more than half the games last season, mostly as a starter for Simeone.
Atlético have a different interpretation of the loan deal that is in its second season. They seemingly are trying to reduce the overall average of Griezmann’s playing time to less than 45 minutes per game by the end of the season.
Atlético club president Enrique Cerezo said his club were not in talks to renegotiate the deal with Barcelona, which have threatened to take its league rival to court.
“I think on the Griezmman issue it is all very clear and everyone knows or imagines what is going on,” Cerezo said Wednesday. “Until this is completely resolved, if indeed there is something to solve, we will remain at this same point.”
Griezmann has produced in his limited role, scoring three goals despite not playing more than 30 minutes in all seven of his appearances. Atlético’s other playmaker, João Félix, has yet to score this season. Álvaro Morata, a former Madrid striker, has also scored three times and will most likely start.
Simeone may also be without his top goalkeeper as Oblak recovers from a knock. Ivo Grbic has taken his place in the last two games: a 4-1 win over Celta Vigo and Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Madrid have done just fine without Benzema in the two matches he has missed. The team beat Mallorca 4-1 last weekend before topping Leipzig 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
On Benzema’s chances of playing against Atlético, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said it would depend on him being back in shape to practice before the big game.
“We’ll have to see whether he’s able to train or not in the coming days,” Ancelotti said. “We won’t be risking anything at all. If he trains well on Saturday, he’ll be involved on Sunday.”
LICKING WOUNDS
Barcelona host Elche on Saturday seeking a win that would move them a point ahead of Madrid.
Bayern Munich handed Barcelona their first loss of the season in any competition on Tuesday, 2-0 in Germany.
Robert Lewandowski missed clear scoring chances against his former team and will be seeking to rekindle his excellent form after having found the net nine times since arriving in Spain.
Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui is under pressure to get a win at Villarreal on Sunday. Sevilla have only one victory in seven games overall and were held 0-0 at Copenhagen in the Champions League this week, while Villarreal’s only loss came last week.
Benzema doubtful, Griezmann reduced to sub for Madrid derby
https://arab.news/5yhk2
Benzema doubtful, Griezmann reduced to sub for Madrid derby
- Benzema is expected to miss the match at Atlético after being sidelined last week with a right leg injury
- Atlético have apparently asked Simeone to limit the minutes Griezmann plays in an attempt to avoid having to pay Barcelona $40 million
Rising Turkish and Indonesian stars awarded wildcards for 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Zeyneb Sonmez and Janice Tjen add further international depth to elite WTA 500 field taking part from Jan. 31- Feb. 7 at Zayed Sports City
- Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in particularly good form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this month before defeating 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round
ABU DHABI: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has confirmed rising Turkish star Zeyneb Sonmez and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen as wildcard entries for the 2026 tournament, adding further global representation to the growing field for the WTA 500 event from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.
Both players arrive in Abu Dhabi with strong international followings and increasing momentum on the professional circuit, underlining the tournament’s reputation as a platform where emerging talent from across the world competes alongside established stars on one of women’s tennis’ most exciting stages.
Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in particularly hot form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this month before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and then falling to Yulia Putintseva in a stormy third round, three-set encounter.
Tjen, already one of Indonesia’s most successful players of the professional era and the current world No. 59, has continued her rise through the international ranks with a series of impressive performances across the WTA circuit.
A second-round loser at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old’s wildcard entry reflects both her growing profile and the increasing strength and visibility of tennis in Southeast Asia, a region that continues to produce new talent and passionate fanbases.
The announcements build on a strong list of early confirmations already revealed for the fourth tournament. Defending champion Belinda Bencic (world No. 10) will return to Abu Dhabi as she bids for a third Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025.
The Olympic gold medallist remains unbeaten at the tournament and returns following a standout comeback season on the WTA Tour.
Rising star Alexandra Eala has also been confirmed, reinforcing the event’s position as a showcase for the next generation of elite women’s tennis.
Tjen said: “I’m really excited to be coming to Abu Dhabi and grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a high-level tournament. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is an event I’ve followed closely, and it means a lot to be able to test myself against some of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to experiencing the atmosphere in front of the fans.”
Sonmez, aged 23, was similarly thrilled to be included in the elite line-up, adding: “Receiving a wildcard for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a great honor. This tournament brings together an incredible field every year, and I’m proud to represent Turkey on such a prestigious stage, and I’m ready to give my absolute best on the court in Abu Dhabi.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at event organizers MARI, said: “Wildcards are an important part of what makes the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open special. They allow us to shine a spotlight on exciting players from different parts of the world while continuing to build a world-class field.
“Janice and Zeyneb both bring strong followings and real competitive quality, and they complement a line-up that already includes established champions and some of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.”
