Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – La Liga – Preview, Team News and Updates

This weekend, La Liga serves up a slate of exciting matches, but none come close to the intensity of Sunday’s showdown—the Madrid derby. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are set to face off for the first time this season at the Wanda Metropolitano, and it’s a fixture that never disappoints.

The Madrid derby is one of the most heated rivalries in world football. When these two cross-city foes clash, it’s more than just a game. It's about passion, drama, bragging rights, and, above all, pride. The buzz around this encounter is already at a fever pitch, and for good reason. Both teams have kicked off the season in strong form, with just two points separating Atletico from Real Madrid at the top of the table. That sets the stage for what promises to be another fiery, high-stakes battle. With so much on the line, who will reign supreme in this latest chapter of the Madrid derby? It's anyone's guess, but one thing's for sure: it's going to be an unforgettable clash. 

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – Match Preview 

Los Rojiblancos last won a La Liga title during the 2020-21 season. Since then, few have tipped them to clinch the title again. On the European stage too, Atletico have failed to compete for titles. Meanwhile, in the same time span, their cross-city rivals have secured two Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles. It’s fair to say that the gap between Real and Atletico has never been wider during Diego Simeone’s reign. However, after a summer of excessive spending, Los Rojiblancos look to bridge the gap. And securing a win on Sunday would go a long way in proving their proving their title credentials.  

Summer arrivals like Conor Gallagher, Julian Alvarez, and Alexander Sorloth might not be lighting up the stat sheet yet, but they have been instrumental in Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run. Julian Alvarez, in particular, delivered the goods with a last-gasp 90th-minute winner against Celta Vigo, helping Los Rojiblancos stay hot on the heels of Barcelona and Real Madrid. While Atletico’s attack hasn’t fully clicked, their defense has been nothing short of elite. Simeone’s men have allowed just three goals in seven La Liga games, making them the toughest backline to crack this season. This defensive wall is no surprise—Simeone’s teams are built on discipline and grit. Their ironclad defense will be crucial if they hope to take down Real Madrid in what promises to be a thrilling derby clash. 

However, when it comes to breaking down even the most resolute defenses, Real Madrid are in a league of their own. With a dazzling array of attacking talent—including Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Arda Guler—Los Blancos have the firepower to set any defense ablaze. But with so many superstars vying for a spot in the starting XI, manager Carlo Ancelotti faces a delightful conundrum: how to fit all this talent together without clashing egos. So far, he’s handled it masterfully, steering the team to an unbeaten start and adding the UEFA Super Cup to their trophy cabinet. 

However, to keep pace with a resurgent Barcelona, who are currently four points ahead after winning all seven of their La Liga fixtures, Madrid need to keep racking up wins. They simply can’t afford to give the Blaugrana any room to breathe. That’s why securing a victory at the Wanda Metropolitano is absolutely vital. Having secured wins in their last five games, Los Blancos come into the Madrid derby in top form. However, their 3-2 win against Alaves might have exposed some glaring defensive weaknesses, which Diego Simeone’s men might look to expose. 

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – Team News and Updates 

The latest team news for Real Madrid is centered around their leading goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe, who will miss the match due to a thigh injury he sustained against Alaves. It’s a big blow for Los Blancos, as they’ll have to adjust their tactics without him. Joining him on the sidelines are Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, and David Alaba. However, there’s a silver lining: Eduardo Camavinga is back in the mix after recovering from a knee injury sustained at the start of the season. Plus, Dani Carvajal is set to return, shaking off the knock that kept him out of the thrilling 3-2 victory over Alaves. 

With Mbappe unavailable, manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to revert to a familiar 4-3-1-2 formation, a setup that served them well last season. This would allow Jude Bellingham to take the playmaking role just behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with Luka Modric anchoring the midfield. 

On the other hand, Atletico Madrid will be missing Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Lemar, and Pablo Barrios due to injuries. But otherwise, they are in great shape for this high-stakes clash. Expect some changes from the team that secured a narrow 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, with players like Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Samuel Lino likely to make their return to the starting XI. Alexander Sorloth might be the one to sit out, as Alvarez is poised to partner up with Antoine Griezmann in the attack. And don’t miss the debut of Conor Gallagher in the Madrid derby, as the Chelsea summer signing looks to make his mark in this iconic rivalry. 

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – Kick-Off Time and Date 

The game is scheduled to take place on 30th September 2024 (Monday) at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. The match will kick off at 12:30 AM (Indian Standard Time).   

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