Diego Simeone's red-hot Atletico are one of the most in-form teams in Europe on an 11-game winning streak in all competitions and looking like a well-oiled machine with Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul firing on all cylinders.
La Liga leaders Barcelona stumbled 1-0 at home against Leganes on Sunday as they suffered another blow in the Spanish title race.
Diego Simeone's side have been in fine form and continued their winning run across all competitions with a deserved home triumph, pulling provisionally level with league leaders Barcelona.
Real missed the chance to move above leaders Barcelona in LaLiga as they stay second on 37 points from 17 matches, one behind the Catalans who host Leganes on Sunday when Atletico, in third place on 35 from 16 games, welcome Getafe.
The 23-year-old was forced off with a muscle injury in their 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna at the Bernabeu earlier in November
"We changed the position of the forwards, with Mbappe outside and he did well, like Vinicius inside," said Ancelotti.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski's goals put the Catalans in a healthy position but Marc Casado's red card in the 82nd minute helped Celta start the fightback to snatch a point.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Friday he would ask his players if they can win without injured teenage winger Lamine Yamal.
Lewandowski's early disallowed strike led to furious debate over whether the Polish forward had been offside or not.
Real Madrid have signed striker Joselu from relegated Espanyol on a season-long loan with an option to buy, the Spanish giants said in a statement on Monday.
Real Madrid confirmed the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal on Wednesday, with the English international costing over 100 million euros ($108 million).
Barcelona FC president Joan Laporta today met with Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi’s father, and the possibility of the Argentine superstar returning to familiar territory has gained traction.
Ancelotti said Benzema's choice came by surprise, after the Italian himself said Saturday he expected the forward to stay. "I have coached one of the best in the world, not a forward, a complete footballer," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti
Valencia's punishment for their fans' racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was reduced on Friday after the La Liga side appealed against it.
Vinicius Junior subjected to racial abuse last weekend will miss a second successive match due to a knee problem Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.
"My frustration was my mistake. I understand that Vinicius is frustrated because he doesn't understand about the division of powers (for dealing with racism), but I'm also frustrated because I do know about it and there were no sanctions."
Vinicius Junior's Real Madrid team-mates showed him support after he was racially abused, by wearing his number 20 shirt before their La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old Spain international has played more than 450 games for Barcelona, winning the Champions League in 2015, six LaLiga titles, five Copa del Rey titles, four Spanish Super Cups and the Club World Cup
The hosts were good value for their victory and climbed to 17th, moving provisionally three points clear of the relegation zone
