MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Giuliano Simeone of Atletico de Madrid battle for the ball with Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 27, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
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The La Liga calendar has once again given us a Madrid derby in late September as one of the first high-profile fixtures on the schedule, and it means that to of the league’s top four teams will come head to head as José Mourinho and Diego Simeone renew their acquaintances.
Atlético Madrid has won four of the last five Madrid derbies at the Metropolitano, with Real Madrid last winning in 2022. Despite that, it is Los Blancos who have had the stronger start to the season, sitting two points ahead of Atleti in the table.
The game will take place on Sunday September 20th with a 4:15pm CEST (10:15am ET) kick-off, after both sides secured victories in midweek as Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2 on Tuesday and Atlético thrashed Osasuna 4-0 on Wednesday.
Atlético Madrid team news
All eyes will be on the fitness of star striker Julián Álvarez as the Argentine has trained on days off this week in an attempt to ensure his availability for the game after missing the last two matches with a muscle injury. Atleti is yet to win with Álvarez playing this season, and have won every game without him, but his presence would add some much needed depth in attack.
That’s in part down to the absence of fellow center-forward Alexander Sørloth who is yet to play this season after a calf injury suffered in pre-season. The Norwegian is close to a return but is not expected to be available to feature in this match.
Also absent will be midfield maestro Pablo Barrios, who was this week named the club’s player of the month for the month of August. Having started the season in superb form, he’s set to miss a third consecutive game due to a hamstring strain.
Real Madrid team news
José Mourinho has no new injury concerns to deal with, beyond the long-term problems which have sidelined Éder Militão, who could rejoin training after the imminent international break, Ferland Mendy, expected back in October, and Rodrygo Goes, whose return isn’t scheduled until December.
There will be a dilemma on the fitness of Aurélien Tchouameni, who played 86 minutes on Tuesday night against Elche but has not played a full 90 minutes since the World Cup. His workload will be closely managed and it could put his involvement as a starter in doubt.
Atlético Madrid predicted line-up
Diego Simeone is expected to stick with a back three once again having found success with the system in recent weeks. That would see Marc Pubill, Cristián Romero and David Hancko line up ahead of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
In the wide positions, Marcos Llorente’s defensive strength could see him preferred to Giuliano Simeone on the right, while Álex Grimaldo could feature on the left.
In midfield, veteran captain Koke could be preferred alongside summer signing Mirren Hjulmand, who has settled in quickly after signing from Sporting CP, given the absence of Barrios.
The front three would then be made up of loanee Jonathan David as the number nine, with in-form duo Kang-In Lee and Álex Baena either side. David has scored in both of his first two appearances since joining the club from Juventus.
Real Madrid predicted line-up
In white, Real Madrid’s team selections this season have been somewhat unpredictable and this will be the biggest test yet of Mourinho in his second stint at the club.
In goal, Thibaut Courtois will keep his usual place, and Mourinho is set to keep the faith in several new signings in defence by starting with Denzel Dumfries ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté instead of Antonio Rüdiger, with regulars Marc Cucurella and Dean Huijsen completing the defence.
In midfield, it’s expected that Mourinho could gamble on Tchouameni’s fitness and opt for the French international as a starting presence in midfield alongside captain Fede Valverde in the double pivot.
Ahead of those two, Jude Bellingham will continue as the number 10, with Arda Güler hoping to continue his fine start to the campaign on the right flank. Kylian Mbappé will act as the center-forward, with Vinícius Júnior on the left.
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