Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid and guard of honour furore which has dominated build-up

There has been one huge talking point in the run-up to the Madrid derby - the guard of honour.

After Real Madrid wrapped up the title last weekend, the stars aligned for their first match as champions to be at the home of local rivals Atletico de Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.

For weeks, press in Spain have intensely asked the question - will Diego Simeone’s side, themselves champions last season, give their opponents a guard of honour? The answer is no, after Atletico Madrid issued a strong statement claiming the gesture had changed from one of recognition to one laced with humiliation.

Real Madrid legend Guti - a local hero who played over 500 games for the club - believes Atletico are “making a mistake”.And it is one which he acknowledges both Real Madrid and Barcelona have made in the past having rejected the pressure to acknowledge one another’s achievements.

Guti said: “I’ve said several times, I think Barcelona didn’t do it to Real Madrid in its day, Real Madrid didn’t do it to Barcelona in its day, Atletico Madrid don’t want to do it to Real Madrid.

“I don’t think this is good for football. None of the three teams are doing it, in this case it is Atletico Madrid, but both Real Madrid and Barcelona have done this as well.

“I think they’re making a mistake. Above rivalry and what people want, individual players, coaches, or those in the dressing room, I think the club has to be above all this.

“I think the history of Real Madrid is above everyone that is going to play in the match. I think it’s good for whoever gets the guard of honour and it’s good for sport, because it generates this value for sport and a value for work done well during the season.”

In Madrid during the build-up to the game, there has