Atletico Madrid Prepares for Derby Against Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN – Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrated his team’s second goal during a La Liga match on October 20, 2024, at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Today, Diego Simeone faces a crucial decision ahead of Atletico Madrid’s derby against Real Madrid.

After a tiring 3-2 comeback victory over Rayo Vallecano earlier in the week, Atletico Madrid has a quick turnaround to host their rivals at 16:15 local time today. To prepare, Simeone has dropped wing backs Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan, opting for a back four instead. New midfielders Giuliano Simeone and Nico Gonzalez are set to enter the lineup.

Atletico’s shift to a more conventional defensive setup may also see Clement Lenglet replace Conor Gallagher. However, the biggest decision lies in the attack, where Giacomo Raspadori and Alexander Sorloth wait for their chance to play.

Griezmann is Atletico Madrid’s record goal scorer with 198 goals but is currently struggling with form, having not scored or assisted in the current 2025/26 season. He hasn’t found the net in 1,161 minutes of league play since last season, which spans 22 games. Despite this, Griezmann has a strong record against Real Madrid, scoring nine goals in derby matches.

It seems Simeone will retain Griezmann as a key player linking midfield and attack, although he may not complete the full 90 minutes. Sorloth and Raspadori are potential substitutes for late-game impact.

Julian Alvarez could also draw attention. The Argentine has scored four league goals this season, including two in his debut 2024/25 season against Real Madrid. He also netted a hat trick in the recent win over Rayo, showcasing his capability to perform when needed.