Between last season and the current one, Real Madrid has only suffered two defeats, both against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano, the site of a new derby that comes amid the pressure of Barcelona's leadership, excitement, off-field tension, controversy over 48 hours less rest for the locals, and lingering doubts about both teams' starts.

The reigning champions, currently second, Real Madrid has earned 17 out of 21 points, albeit without the authority they usually display this season and without Kylian Mbappé, who is out due to injury, facing third-placed Atlético, who have fluctuated, made significant investments this summer, and built a team that has gathered 15 out of 21 points.

Key matchups include Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham against Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Samuel Lino or Ángel Correa. Thibaut Courtois faces Jan Oblak, while Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez, and Reinildo Mandava go up against Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy. Marcos Llorente will square off against Dani Carvajal, and Aurelien Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga or Luka Modric will match up with Rodrigo de Paul, Koke Resurrección, and Conor Gallagher. It promises to be a thrilling duel.

As Barcelona leads the standings, this derby places pressure on both Real Madrid and Atlético, who remain undefeated this season. It’s a clash for second place now but has greater implications later in the title chase, as both teams risk falling too far behind the sole goal of winning the championship.

The pressure is palpable for both sides. There’s also controversy, as Atlético played their match against Celta in Balaídos on Thursday, while Real Madrid faced Alavés at home on Tuesday. The 48-hour difference has been a point of contention for the Atlético side, who returned early Thursday morning from Vigo, trained Friday afternoon, and had another session Saturday morning, preparing for the clash with little rest.

Just before the 90th minute, Atlético managed to secure a crucial victory in Vigo, thanks to a goal from Julián Álvarez assisted by Antoine Griezmann. After a disappointing draw in Vallecas, winning was a must. Two days earlier, Real Madrid narrowly defeated Alavés 3-2, showing too much relaxation in the final stretch, rekindling discussions about their form, with two away draws in their start to the campaign.

The backdrop includes the recent derby tension at the Metropolitano, where Vinicius faced racial abuse from a section of the Atlético fanbase outside the stadium prior to recent matches. His reception, both on and off the field, inevitably influences the atmosphere leading up to the game.

"This is a super special derby, full of rivalry, but above all, with the utmost respect that should exist in a football match," said Koke Resurrección, Atlético's captain, through the club's official media, heading into a matchup that Real Madrid has only won once in the last five encounters.

After several rotations during the previous four matches, Diego Simeone is expected to field his strongest eleven at this stage of the season. Injuries aside, with Pablo Barrios missing his fifth consecutive match and César Azpilicueta also out for this Sunday’s derby, Thomas Lemar is nearing a return but still working on his fitness.

Julián Álvarez, a decisive scorer (and substitute) in Vigo, is likely to start in the attack. He has scored against Real Madrid in all three encounters he played with Manchester City. He has netted two goals in eight matches this season with Atlético, still below expectations but in line with the typical adjustment process for the Argentine World Cup champion under Simeone's system.

Antoine Griezmann is crucial for Atlético, having played a key role in three of the last four goals (one scored, two assisted) and being the club's all-time top scorer. He will partner with Álvarez in the attack, with Alexander Sørloth expected to start on the bench.

Koke will remain in central midfield without rotating in any of the last four matches, with Rodrigo de Paul returning to the right and Conor Gallagher solidifying his position on the left, becoming a regular in Simeone's lineup. The defense will feature Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez, and Reinildo Mandava, with Marcos Llorente on the right and Jan Oblak in goal, having conceded just one goal in five matches.

The uncertainty lies in one position, whether to play with five or four defenders. If opting for the former, the left flank could be filled by Samuel Lino or Rodrigo Riquelme; if it’s the latter, Ángel Correa might join the attack alongside Julián Álvarez, with Griezmann either on the left or just behind.

On the opposite side, this derby will test Real Madrid's resolve. They must demonstrate their ability to succeed in major matches without their new star, Kylian Mbappé, sidelined by an unfortunate muscle injury in this crucial encounter. This is a return to the only stadium where Carlo Ancelotti's team suffered defeat last season.

Last season, they faltered in LaLiga during a moment that marked a turning point. It highlighted defensive shortcomings and a lack of solidarity from full-backs who struggled without support. Since that disheartening night, Real Madrid has not lost in the competition, boasting an impressive streak of 39 consecutive matches without defeat and a league title secured en route to this reunion.

In the same venue, they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the first round, in the round of 16. Ancelotti recalls this to address Atlético's complaints regarding their shorter rest. He sympathizes with the current two days less of rest but is reminded of the toll it took on his team in that match where they faded physically after winning the Supercopa de España.

This eternal rivalry will demand that Real Madrid presents a strong front. Having experienced an irregular start with two draws in their first away matches (Mallorca and Las Palmas), they have since achieved five consecutive victories, even allowing for some disconnection in their latest match against Alavés, nearly losing control at the end after feeling comfortable with a 3-0 lead.

But they will be without Mbappé, the player who dictates the pace for Real Madrid, who was on a scoring streak after netting in five consecutive games. He has seven goals in nine matches. Ancelotti must fill this void by adjusting his lineup. He is relieved not to have to bench any of the front three, with all eyes on Rodrygo, allowing him to bolster his midfield with an additional player for high-stakes matches. The return of Eduardo Camavinga adds depth to the squad for this battle.

Camavinga may still be working on his fitness after a knee sprain that sidelined him this season but remains vital to a midfield that still misses Toni Kroos. He might return directly to the starting eleven. If Ancelotti considers it too risky, Luka Modric’s experience could be favored over Arda Güler in a midfield lacking Dani Ceballos and Brahim Díaz.

If the 4-3-3 formation remains unchanged, Endrick could make his debut, although he has yet to start in any match and nothing suggests he would in this high-stakes encounter at just 18 years old, respecting Ancelotti's approach. Hence, tactical adjustments might involve reverting to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, moving Jude Bellingham forward to enhance his arrival in the opponent's box.

After scoring in his first five matches last year, he has yet to find the net in the first five of this season. Both his performance and Vinicius’s resurgence are crucial for Madrid's success in the derby, with Vinicius needing to manage his emotions to avoid further yellow cards after being cautioned twice for arguing with referees, just as he regained his influential playing style.

Possible Lineups for the Derby:

Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Giménez, Reinildo; De Paul, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Lino or Correa; Julián Álvarez.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Camavinga or Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinícius.