((WATCH>>STREAMS!)) Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid Live Free Online Broadcast 4 February 2024
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid LIVE STREAM (2/4/2024): Watch LA Liga online | Time, USA TV, channel. Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will add another chapter to their iconic La Liga rivalry as they square off at the illustrious Santiago Bernabeu.
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Real Madrid will be vying to avenge their shambolic exit from the Copa del Rey as they lost to their bitter rivals in extra time. Los Blancos are currently at the summit of the Spanish league and would want to avoid any exchanges with a win against Atletico Madrid.
Simeone's men were dumped out of the Super Cup by Real Madrid but Los Rojiblancos got their revenge in the Copa del Rey. Having thrashed their city rivals in their backyard in the reverse fixture, the visitors would want to make the league double over the heavyweights.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: LA Liga
Who: Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
When: Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Carlo Ancelotti would be sweating over the fitness of German brickwall Antonio Rudiger. With David Alaba and Eder Militao confined to Bernabeu's treatment room for a prolonged period, Rudiger's fitness becomes top priority.
French youngster Aurelien Tchouameni was handed a booking in Madrid's victory against Getafe suspending him for the clash while Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois remains out of contention.
Despite Joselu's brace against Getafe, the Spanish forward could be pushed to the bench with Brazilian winger Rodrygo partnering up his counterpart Vinicius Jr. Jude Bellingham would once again provide the attacking threat darting from the midfield having already scored 14 goals and bagged three assists this term.
The absentees for Atletico Madrid include former Chelsea centre-back Cesar Azpilicueta, midfielder Thomas Lemar, and Uruguayan defender Jose Gimenez.
Alvaro Morata would be vying to shake off his injury scare to lock horns with his former employees as the Spanish superstar is touted to spearhead the attack alongside Antoine Griezmann with the Frenchman being the difference between the two sides in recent games.
If Morata fails a late fitness test, Dutch star Memphis Depay could feature for the side with the former Barcelona striker finding the back of the net in three successive ties for Los Rojiblancos in all competitions.
The January transfer window closed on Thursday with the Premier League’s spending power considerably down on previous years.
Based on reported fees, top-flight clubs in England spent around $120.55 million on signings, not including loan deals. A year ago, Chelsea’s $357 million mid-season spree was part of a league record outlay of around $831 million.
Figures never looked like getting anywhere near those levels this year, with loan deals dominating the market.
According to auditor Deloitte, gross spending in Spain, Germany, Italy and France rose 80% year-on-year from 255 million euros ($277 million) to 455 million euros ($494 million). French league was biggest spender of the window with an outlay of around $210 million, based on reported fees.
But it was in England where the biggest shift occurred, with leading clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all resisting the temptation to spend.
What is not clear is whether the caution shown during the past month represents the start of a new trend in light of the Premier League’s financial rules — or whether normal service will be resumed at the end of the season.
In France, Lyon spent around $54.5 million and Paris Saint-Germain $43.5 million. In Spain, Barcelona brought in 18-year-old Brazilian forward Vitor Roque for a reported $43.5 million.
By comparison Crystal Palace was the Premier League’s biggest spender after the deadline day signing of midfielder Adam Wharton from Blackburn for a reported $23 million took the London club’s total outlay to $31.6 million.
Everton was handed a 10-point deduction earlier this season for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The Merseyside club could face more sanctions after being referred last month to an independent commission for further breaches of the rules. Nottingham Forest was also referred.
The league’s profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($130 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions.
With the chance to qualify for next season Champions League, Tottenham signed Leipzig forward Timo Werner on loan and defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa for a reported $32 million.
Aston Villa is also aiming for the Champions League and maybe more. It secured a deal for Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers on deadline day.
And despite the fear of a points deduction, Forest still strengthened with loan deals for United States midfielder Gio Reyna and Sporting striker Rodrigo Ribeiro and the signing of goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg for a reported $6.4 million.
Barcelona, struggling both financially and on the field, did not make any moves in January other than the deal for Roque. The Catalan club is now focused on finding its next coach after Xavi Hernández said he would not continue after this summer.
Real Madrid was satisfied with what it has after hitting the jackpot with Jude Bellingham in the preseason, while Atletico Madrid was the biggest mover last month as it picked up 18-year-old Belgium midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Antwerp, added veteran defender Gabriel Paulista as a free agent from Valencia, and signed Romania goalkeeper Horațiu Moldovan as a backup to Jan Oblak.
Jadon Sancho’s return from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund on loan was standout deal of the window. Sancho set up a goal in his first game, won a penalty in the second and Dortmund has won all three of its Bundesliga games since his return to move back in the Champions League qualifying places.
At Bayern Munich the focus has been on adding depth to a small squad depleted by injuries. Eric Dier signed on loan from Tottenham and right back Sacha Boey joined from Galatasaray in a deal potentially worth over 35 million euros ($38 million). Spanish forward Bryan Zaragoza was brought in sooner than expected, joining on deadline day, rather than after the season.
Atletico Madrid has been the biggest thorn in the side of La Liga title favorites Real Madrid across the year. Diego Simeone has beaten Real Madrid twice across their three meetings this season, while the third required extra time to decide a winner.
No other club has managed to defeat Real Madrid in any competition this season, as they sit a point off the top of the La Liga standings with a game in hand on leaders Girona.
Atleti have won three of their last four in league play, helping them ascend into a Champions League place, sitting fourth in the standings, two points back of third-placed Barcelona and 10 adrift of the summit.
Atletico Madrid are missing a host of players missing due to injury. Jose Gimenez is sidelined for a few weeks with a muscle injury, while Cesar Azpilicueta damaged his meniscus in extra time during the previous meeting between these two clubs.
Goal hawk Alvaro Morata was rested last time out against Valencia, seeing just 23 minutes off the bench, but should be fit to start here. Diego Simeone has rotated his midfield consistently throughout the season, with Saul Niguez, Rodrigo Riquelme, Pablo Barrios, and Marcos Llorente all shuffling through recent starting lineups.
Los Blancos come into this game ten points clear of their neighbours (the same difference back to usual title contenders Barcelona) with the most likely challenger for the crown the surprise package from Girona.
Los Blancos are currently perched at the top of the table having won their last six league games straight, most recently overcoming Getafe 2-0 in midweek away from home.
Atletico arrive at the Bernabeu in impressive form themselves, winning four of their last five matches in La Liga. The only blip of late was the 4-3 defeat at Girona, who could sit in first before kick-off if they win their game against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Madrid are nervously waiting to see how Antonio Rudiger pulls up before the capital derby. The Germany international came off at half-time against Getafe, though manager Carlo Ancelotti has backed him to recover in time.
Los Blancos are already without centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba due to significant injuries, while Thibaut Courtois' absence has seen Andriy Lunin earn regular minutes between the sticks. Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up a fifth booking of the season.
Rumours continue to swirl over Luka Modric's future. The Croatian may well be into his final season at the Bernabeu but is unlikely to be given a lengthy farewell tour, having started only ten of a possible 22 La Liga games.