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• Carlo Ancelotti plays down form relevance amid ‘special tension’ of Madrid derby

  Carlo Ancelotti has stressed that form counts for little amid the “special tension” of a Madrid derby as Real and Atletico prepare to clash at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.

  The two sides head into the game on the back of contrasting fortunes, with Ancelotti’s Real having reeled off five straight wins to kick off the LaLiga season as well as getting their Champions League campaign under way with victory over Union Berlin.

  Atletico, meanwhile, limp into the game still shellshocked by goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s late equaliser for Lazio in their midweek Champions League clash, which swiftly followed their 3-0 domestic loss at Valencia last week.

  “I think the derby is always a great opportunity, whether you’re in a good moment or a bad one,” said Ancelotti.

  “A derby is always a special game. We like to prepare for these games and be the stars. There is a special tension and we’re excited to do all we can to be the stars.”

  Ancelotti has named Vinicius Jr in his squad after the Brazilian made a faster than expected recovery from a calf strain sustained in the win over Celta Vigo last month.

  The initial prognosis ruled the player out for six weeks but Ancelotti bridled at suggestions that he may have taken an unnecessary risk in naming the winger in his squad ahead of schedule.

  “There is zero risk,” Ancelotti insisted. “He trained because there is zero risk. If we think there is one per cent risk, he won’t play. What’s important is that Vinicius has recovered. I’ve told him he will be missing some conditioning after a month out, but we will evaluate it tomorrow.”

  There was also encouraging news over in-form England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has made a full recovery after missing training on Thursday with a minor stomach complaint.

  Ancelotti alluded to the midfield riches at his disposal that have helped extend his side’s perfect start, and said his big names should not take it personally if they are subject to rotation or substitution.

  “Leaving not only (Toni) Kroos or (Luka) Modric on the bench is hard, and the same for (Federico) Valverde,” added Ancelotti.

  “The competition in midfield is strong and the reflection with the team is when we make a change, the player coming off is sad.

  “I understand that you come off sad because you think I’m changing you because you’re not playing well. But very often it’s because I have resources and I want to put someone on fresh. I tell them only to be sad if they haven’t given 100 per cent.”

• Ryan Fallowfield hits dramatic late winner for York

  Ryan Fallowfield’s winner eight minutes into added time secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for York away at Woking in the Vanarama National League.

  Padraig Amond had a great chance to give Woking the lead in the 20th minute after racing onto Zak Bradshaw’s pass but he hit the post when one-on-one with Ryan Whitley.

  The visitors opened the scoring moments later when Lenell John-Lewis’ long-range effort took a huge deflection and looped in over William Jaaskelainen.

  Ricky Korboa equalised for Woking just before the hour mark from close range after reacting quickest to Whitley’s double save from Amond.

  John-Lewis went close to restoring York’s lead but he hit the bar with a header and the follow-up from Dan Batty was well saved by Jaaskelainen.

  Korboa was also denied by the woodwork for the hosts in the 75th minute with a curling effort which struck the crossbar and post.

  There was more drama to come as Josh Casey remarkably headed Paddy McLaughlin’s shot off the line but the ball bounced off the post and into the path of Fallowfield, who tucked home from a yard out.

• Mikel Arteta relishing ‘special rivalry’ as in-form Arsenal and Spurs do battle

  Mikel Arteta relishes “special” north London derbies against Tottenham and has called for Arsenal to take advantage of the Emirates’ electric atmosphere on Sunday.

  Both Arsenal and Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League ahead of their derby-day clash.

  And Arteta talked up the fixture’s history and its importance to the club and supporters as Arsenal search for a third straight victory over their neighbours.

  “It’s a special rivalry. It’s a rivalry in the city and I really like the derby, there’s something between the two communities and it’s really intense,” Arteta said.

  “It builds something even bigger with your supporters. I think it’s a game always in fixtures where you look straight away to see when you play that game because it’s special and there’s something emotionally attached to it so it will be a big lift if we manage to win it.

  “No (better feeling than beating Tottenham) because you know what the game means to people and having the possibility in your job to make someone happy is a huge fulfilment and a responsibility we feel.

  “You walk down the street and there’s a feeling (among fans) because of the history, the rivalry and that’s the beautiful thing when it’s taken in the right way during sport and we are so privileged to be involved in this sort of game.

  “The atmosphere will be different. It will be more electric, there will be more energy in the ground and the pitch so we have to deal with that in the right way and take advantage of that.”

  Ange Postecoglou’s new-look Spurs find themselves in second having scored 13 goals in five matches.

  And Gunners boss Arteta highlighted their rivals’ dominant form and expects them to pose a new challenge to his side.

  “For sure they’ve had a really good start and they are in a good moment and we are too so it’s a big game and we’re going to have to battle the right way to win it,” he added.

  “They dominate the games, they win the games, they score a lot of goals and they’re an attacking flowing team and they go for it so they’ll bring a different approach to the game than what we’ve played in the league so far.

  “They have a new challenge, a new opportunity, they have a new manager who is doing really well and he’s managed to change the vibe around the club and with a different style too.

  “So we need to be ourselves and produce the performance to beat them.”

  Arsenal retuned to the Champions League after six years with a midweek 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in Group B.

  Arteta said: “For sure (the win) has to drive the energy and the belief and we have to keep doing what we’re doing and understand that Sunday will be a different game that will need that same performance or even better to beat them (Tottenham) and we need to keep going.”