Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid side enters this weekend third in LaLiga, but the Rojiblancos can jump up to second with a win in the season’s first derby against eternal rivals Real Madrid.
The stakes remain high in this 300th all-time Madrid Derby, the 179th to be held in LaLiga, and the 30th league derby for Simeone as Atlético Madrid’s coach. Atlético are coming off of a pair of much-needed wins against Real Sociedad and Osasuna. Summer signings Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, and Alejandro Grimaldo
stamped their mark emphatically, scoring four of the team’s seven goals. Additionally, the team was able to keep clean sheets in both matches.
They will hope to continue this run of form against José Mourinho’s Real Madrid, in the first meeting between Simeone and Mourinho since the 2014 UEFA Champions League semifinals. Real Madrid have won five of their six matches thus far in La Liga, scoring 17 times thanks to the efforts of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.
However, Los Blancos have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches across all competitions, and Atleti will hope to pounce when opportunities present themselves.
Real Madrid needed a last-minute Carlos Espí winner to overcome Elche on Tuesday, after Mourinho’s men threw away a two-goal lead. Abiel Osorio and Fer Niño equalized late on, and though Espí grabbed his winner immediately after he came into the game, the result highlighted Madrid’s struggles to maintain focus and control. Players like Kang-in and Baena could easily have the time and space to craft chances against a Madrid side that has grown complacent in certain games after racing out to an early advantage.
Vinícius Júnior scored a brace in the previous meeting between these sides, a 3-2 win for Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. But the Brazilian is struggling for form this season, with just one goal to date in LaLiga. Extending his misery will be key for Atlético in their bid to secure another home derby win.
Team news and possible lineup
Julián Alvarez returned to training on Friday after missing two games with a muscular overload. He is likely to play against Real Madrid, though it is not yet certain if he will start. Alexander Sørloth (muscle strain) and Pablo Barrios (right leg) are expected to miss the game.
To prepare for the upcoming derby, Atlético held a media day that saw Jan Oblak and Marcos Llorente speak to reporters. The two players expressed the importance of the match and the current state of the squad.
Possible Starting XI:
Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Grimaldo; Kang-in, Koke, Hjulmand, Baena; Alvarez, Lookman.
