Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said his team are arriving at Sunday’s La Liga Clasico in better shape after correcting mistakes made in their derby thrashing by Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos suffered a humiliating 5-2 beating by rivals Atletico in their only defeat of the season after 12 games across all competition. Alonso side hold a two-point lead on Barcelona at the top of the table as they prepare to host the champions this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu. “Without doubt a few weeks have passed in which we have been correcting things, doing things better,” Alonso told a news conference Saturday. “For tomorrow, we are arriving in a good moment, both in terms of morale, in a footballing sense, our competitive level – it’s a good moment.”

Real Madrid came out on top in an enthralling El Clasico, defeating Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. They have extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga table to five points. Having recovered from a chastening 5-2 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid. Real came into this showpiece on the back of four successive wins in all competitions, and they appeared to carry that momentum into the opening stages here. Inside two minutes, referee Cesar Soto Grado pointed to the spot when Lamine Yamal’s intervention upended Vinicius Junior. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned. Undeterred, Real Madrid were celebrating in the 12th minute when Kylian Mbappe magnificently buried a bouncing ball with a dipping strike from range, only for the tightest of offsides to deny the Frenchman.

La Liga proposal to stage Villarreal’s home match against Barcelona in Miami this December has been scrapped. This is due to “uncertainty” surrounding the event, the league confirmed on Tuesday. The game, set for December 20, would have been the first-ever European league fixture played outside its home continent. La Liga said the promoter decided to withdraw because of “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.” The league expressed regret over the cancellation. They called it a “historic and unparalleled opportunity” to showcase Spanish football internationally. Tickets for the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami were due to go on sale Tuesday, but the presale was delayed before the plan was officially dropped. The fixture will now be played as originally scheduled at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso urged his unbeaten side to stay sharp before Saturday’s Madrid derby at the Metropolitano. Los Blancos top La Liga after six straight wins but sit just two points ahead of Barcelona. Alonso, who played five seasons for Real, said his team cannot rely on their badge or early form. “Some games were a real struggle, so we can’t get overconfident,” he told reporters. “We need to stay switched on in every match at any ground. If we relax, a lapse can cost us.” Real have conceded only three goals in the league so far, but Alonso warned that focus will be key to extending their perfect start.  

Atletico Madrid ended Real Madrid’s perfect start to the season in stunning fashion thanks to Alvarez.  Real, unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions, hoped to stretch their La Liga lead but instead endured a nightmare evening. Diego Simeone’s men overwhelmed the visitors early on, and Robin Le Normand’s 14th-minute header from Giuliano Simeone’s cross gave Atleti a deserved lead. Real’s response was swift. Arda Guler split the defence with a precise through ball to Kylian Mbappe, who hammered in his 12th goal in 10 games for club and country. The visitors then went ahead as Vinícius Júnior’s pinpoint delivery found Guler, who finished superbly on the half-volley. But Atletico roared back, spearheaded by Julián Álvarez relentless finishing to power Simeone’s side to a famous derby triumph and halt Real’s early-season charge.