Close sources have claimed that La Liga giant, Real Madrid will turn down an offer from Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo to allow the Galacticos to play their remaining home fixtures in the league this season at the Wanda Metropolitano.
ESPN reports that the 13-time Champions League winners plan to use the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium at the club’s Valdebebas training base,. where they have been training to host their final six home games due to ongoing construction work at the Bernabeu.
Due to the suggestion that fans could be allowed back into stadiums before the end of the campaign, Cerezo offered the Galacticos the chance to play at Atletico’s home while renovation work continues at the Bernabeu.
Atletico had in 2017 moved from its former home ground, Estadio Vicente Calderon to the Wanda located on the outskirts of the city. The rivalries between the two clubs have been rife over the years.
Cerezo had at an event in the Spanish capital on Wednesday said the club would lend Madrid use of the stadium, adding that no one should doubt that if fans were eventually allowed to come and watch the game in the final stage of the season.
The mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, who noted at the same event that if that happens, it would not be the first time the two sides have made use of each other’s grounds.
Athletico and Madrid have shared each other’s ground before
He recalled that Athletico made use of the Bernabeau during the first game of their double-winning season of 1995-96 where they beat Celta Vigo 2-0 when there was a renovation work going on at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
He also said that Madrid also used the Calderon at a point in time where they beat Rayo 5-3. He added that if both clubs wanted it, the fans won’t have any problem with it.
But Madrid will decline the offer, according to sources within the club. ESPN reports that the source said Madrid he club will not contemplate Atletico’s offer, although they appreciated the gesture.
Despite being city rivals, Madrid said the relationship between both sides is healthy.
Madrid quickly began its renovation work at the Bernabeu and moved to the Di Stefano because it would not affect season ticket holders, with games ordered to be played behind closed doors.
