Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

Flimsy Liverpool risk letting down Messi-like Salah in title race

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Man Utd three-peat or MLS? Pogba's transfer options - ranked

UCL Power Rankings: Barca No.1 after lucky draw as Liverpool fall

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

LIVE: Champions League round of 16 draw

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

Walker warned 'Milan is a danger city' after off-field problems

Pep told he can't blame disastrous Man City season on Rodri injury 

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Atletico troll Real Madrid ahead of derby</li><li>Make reference to club 'pressuring referees'</li><li>Los Blancos filed complaint about officials</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Real Madrid trolled by city rivals Atletico ahead of derby day with IKEA-themed instructions in incendiary dig over 'pressuring referees'

LaLiga

Valencia

Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid

Girona

<p>The Spanish giants go head to head at the Bernabeu this Saturday in a derby match between La Liga's top two teams, and Atletico have published a handy guide for their rivals.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Labelled "basic instructions for the derby", Atletico shared a checklist for the weekend clash in the format of IKEA instructions for building a piece of furniture, including "good physical preparation" and a "detailed analysis of the opponent". However, it ended with a dig at their neighbours by adding a fourth step: "Once again, use your TV channel to pressure the referee".</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📚 Basic instructions for the derby <a href="https://t.co/V58BT76i87">pic.twitter.com/V58BT76i87</a></p>— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/atletienglish/status/1887200277595291879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The fourth step is a reference to accusations Real Madrid TV have broadcast negative messages about referees in charge of some of their matches in an alleged attempt to put pressure on them. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-official-complaint-serious-refereeing-behaviour-spanish-football-federation-defeat-espanyol/blt0086af48fd3ed380" target="_blank">Madrid recently filed an complaint calling for an overhaul of the refereeing system</a> in La Liga after their controversial 1-0 loss against Espanyol last week.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Carlo Ancelotti's reigning champions sit top of La Liga heading into Saturday's game but hold a slender one-point lead over Diego Simeone's Atletico, meaning there is plenty riding on a mouth-watering on the upcoming derby.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?

Real Madrid trolled by city rivals Atletico ahead of derby day with IKEA-themed instructions in incendiary dig over 'pressuring referees' | Goal.com

Atletico Madrid have trolled Real Madrid ahead of the La Liga showdown between the city rivals in La Liga this weekend.

Real Madrid trolled by city rivals Atletico ahead of derby day with IKEA-themed instructions in incendiary dig over &apos;pressuring referees&apos;

Next matches