ไทย
English
中國人
Ahead of the opening Madrid derby of the 2011–12 campaign, a group of Real Madrid supporters unveiled a banner that read like a classified ad: "Seeking a worthy opponent for a respectable derby."
At that stage, Atlético Madrid had gone over a decade without claiming a single victory in the capital clash. The barren run, which had started at the close of the 20th century, would finally end in 2013 — and when it did, it was almost worth every year of waiting.
Atlético toppled Real to claim the 2013 Copa del Rey at their rivals' own ground. It stands as one of the most iconic moments of Diego Simeone's storied reign at the Atléti helm and came at the expense of José Mourinho. Now, thirteen years on, the two managers are set to face off in yet another Madrid derby.
Diego Simeone Takes Julian Alvarez Decision
Simeone has adopted a notably warm tone this season. "I have enormous respect for Mourinho," El Cholo stated. "I've admired him for a long time, followed his work closely. He knows exactly how highly I regard him."
That goodwill also extended to Julián Alvarez, his standout striker who spent the entire summer — and the early weeks of this season — pushing for a move from Atlético to Barcelona. Simeone never shut the door on his fellow Argentine, who made an impression with an assist in a starting role against Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this month. However, Alvarez missed the next two matches against Real Sociedad and Osasuna due to injury.
Before kick-off, Simeone confirmed that Alvarez would be included in the squad, though he stopped short of revealing whether the forward would start or come off the bench. As it turned out, the Argentina international began the match as a substitute.
Atlético would certainly welcome a fully fit and sharp Alvarez. The 26-year-old has netted more goals against Real than against any other European side in his career (five in 10 outings), including a brace the last time Los Blancos visited the Metropolitano.
The side might also benefit from having genuine midfield options, as Simeone surprisingly left both Koke and Morten Hjulmand on the bench.
Atletico Madrid Starting Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Starting XI: Jan Oblak; Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, Dávid Hancko; Giuliano Simeone, Johnny Cardoso, Marcos Llorente, Alejandro Grimaldo; Lee Kang-in, Jonathan David, Álex Baena.
Mourinho Searches for Balance of Stars
Like every Real Madrid manager this century, Mourinho has been wrestling with the same fundamental dilemma: should he keep fielding the club's marquee names over the less celebrated players who have actually delivered stronger performances? So far, the answer has been a firm: Yes.
Arda Güler has created more than double the chances of any teammate this season, entering Sunday's derby with 27 in La Liga compared to the 13 credited to Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior. Yet the creative midfielder had not always been assured of a starting spot. Common sense ultimately won out on Sunday, with Güler earning his place in the XI while Mourinho's expensive summer signing Yan Diomande was left among the substitutes.
Bellingham, Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé kept their spots in the starting lineup. Having spent two full seasons together without lifting a major trophy, the trio are still searching for the right chemistry between them.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Atletico Madrid
Starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni; Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Kylian Mbappé.