Everything You Need to Know Before Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid
The upcoming Madrid derby between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid is packed with stats and facts that every fan should know before the game kicks off at the Cívitas Metropolitano. Both teams come into this match in very different conditions, but as always in a classic, anything can happen. For Atlético, their defensive solidity has been key, having conceded only one goal in their last six league matches and keeping a clean sheet in their last three home games. This strength will be crucial against Madrid’s powerful attack.
On the scoring front for Atlético, Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente have been pivotal at the start of La Liga, each netting two goals. Alongside them, players like Julián Álvarez and Conor Gallagher have also stepped up, contributing to Diego Simeone’s team performance. For Real Madrid, Brazilians Vinicius and Rodrygo have shone bright, both scoring three goals this season, proving that even without Mbappé, their forward line is still lethal.
Defensively, Thibaut Courtois has been solid in goal, letting in only five goals in the first seven matches. However, Carlo Ancelotti knows that facing Atlético at their home ground is no easy feat. In his 22 previous encounters as Madrid’s coach against Atlético, Ancelotti has recorded eight wins, six draws, and eight losses, showing just how tight these matchups usually are.
Real Madrid will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak in La Liga, having gone 39 matches without a loss, with 29 wins and 10 draws. Interestingly, their last defeat was against Atlético at the Metropolitano on September 24, 2023, a fact that will surely motivate both teams for this clash.
Atlético captain Koke Resurrección is set to be a key figure in this derby, having played 40 derbies—more than any other player on the pitch this Sunday. Koke is just three derbies away from matching Sergio Ramos’s record. Simeone, on the other hand, will be managing his 44th derby against the eternal rival, with a record of 12 wins, 15 draws, and 16 losses.
With significant absences on both sides, such as Mbappé for Madrid and Pablo Barrios for Atlético, the coaches will need to adjust their strategies. The return of key players like Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga for Madrid, along with the possible inclusion of Thomas Lemar for Atlético, adds more uncertainty to what promises to be an intense derby. No doubt, this match has all the ingredients to be memorable!