Atletico Madrid Faces Real Madrid in High-Stakes Derby Showdown

Madrid, Spain – The highly anticipated Madrid Derby returns as Atletico Madrid hosts Real Madrid this Saturday, marking the 241st edition of their fierce rivalry. This match holds additional significance as Xabi Alonso leads Real Madrid in his first derby as head coach.

Currently, Real Madrid stands atop La Liga, boasting a perfect record with six wins out of six matches. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid struggles in ninth place, accumulating just nine points so far. A defeat could jeopardize Atletico’s title aspirations early in the season.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico side has faced difficulties, with key players like José María Giménez, Thiago Almada, and Johnny Cardoso sidelined due to injuries. However, striker Alexander Sørloth returns from a suspension and could provide a much-needed boost to the attack.

The team showcased resilience in their last outing, erasing a 2-1 deficit to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano, thanks to a hat trick from Julián Alvarez. Atletico will aim to leverage their home advantage at the Wanda Metropolitano to disrupt Real Madrid’s momentum.

For Real Madrid, the absence of injured defenders Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger presents challenges, but their attacking prowess remains formidable. Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham have been pivotal in their successes, scoring consistently this season.

Alonso’s tactical approach has impressed thus far. He will assess whether to start Bellingham or Arda Güler, who both offer creative solutions in midfield. Real Madrid has yet to lose to Atletico since September 2022, a trend they will aim to maintain.

Head-to-head, Atletico holds a favorable record at home, remaining unbeaten in their last four games against their rivals. The previous three encounters in La Liga ended in a 1-1 tie, indicating the closely contested nature of these matches.

The match kicks off at 15:15 BST (10:15 EDT) on September 27, 2025, at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be an unforgettable clash.