All on board! Atletico, Real Madrid players moving to derby for LaLiga clash on public bus

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid players had to give up the luxuries they used to make them come first LaLiga matches on Sunday when all travel to the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on public buses.

Two teams – as well as training and security staff – arrived at one of LaLiga’s most famous, fiercely contested fixtures on electric buses run by the city’s Municipal Transport Company (EMT). provided in the framework of the 75th anniversary of its founding.

The 28-seat buses were specially decorated for the event, covered in the colors and emblems of the two teams, but different from the buses used by the people of Madrid to get around the Spanish capital on a daily basis.

– Atletico vs. Real Madrid: Replay of the match on ESPN+ (USA)
– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (US)
– No ESPN? Instant access

The bus is all-electric, has zero carbon emissions and offers free wifi, but vice versa lack of amenities that top players are familiar with such as reclining seats, beverage refrigerators and tinted windows.

Los jugadores del @realmadrid han subido a nuestro autobús🚌 para llegar al derbi al @Metropolitano

Al derbi se llega mejor en # TransportePùblico pic.twitter.com/lhgy2XY8qg

– EMT de Madrid (@EMTmadrid) May 8, 2022

The Real Madrid squad made a 15-minute drive from their Valdebebas training complex on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, heading south to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who last week became the first coach to win titles in all five of Europe’s top leaguesobviously enjoyed himself, as he kept his position in the front and kept his position safe when the bus arrives at the stadium.

⚪️¡Así ha llegado el MADRID al METROPOLITANO! ️

😅ANCELOTTI, en primera fila y agarrado a la barra del autobús de la EMT.

📹Lo hemos lively en directo con @alexsilvestreSZ en #SportPlus:
🔴YT: https://t.co/pLLQwiXXfh
🔵FB: https://t.co/Vmf3YGAdRO
🟣TW: https://t.co/D7dqcxj7TY pic.twitter.com/w9rzONc6h8

– El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 8, 2022

Atletico’s journey was even shorter, as their bus completed the three-mile journey from the team hotel near Madrid’s Barajas Airport to their home ground in about 10 minutes, arriving at 7.40 local time. before 9 p.m. to start.

Los Rojiblancos front Antoine Griezmann looked comfortable boarding his less flashy previous ride, perhaps because he was still able to carry his mate’s mug with him.

Atlético defender Sime Vrsaljkomeanwhile, couldn’t hide his excitement about jumping through the middle door without having to pay the driver.

Unlike most people’s bus commuting experience, the two teams were escorted by police to avoid traffic jams, delays or potential trouble, and closely followed by the team’s usual coach, will be used to collect players after the game.

Real Madrid’s players have been spending a lot of time on the bus lately, with a revealing model carrying them and the LaLiga trophy from the Santiago Bernabeu to the Cibeles fountain, where the club has traditionally celebrated winning trophies. won, after they beat Espanyol 4-0 to win the championship last weekend.

Atletico were unable to celebrate winning the silver trophy this season, but their 1-0 win over city rivals Sunday is a big step towards securing a top-four finish, helping to confirm next season’s Champions League spot.