La Liga 2025-26: Atletico host Real Madrid in first derby of the season

Atletico Madrid will play host to Real Madrid in the first Madrid derby of the La Liga 2025-26 season at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win against Rayo Vallecano, while Los Blancos secured a comprehensive 4-1 win away to Levante last time out. 

Atletico were involved in a pulsating encounter against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. Diego Simeone's side enetered the later stages of the game trailing by 2-1. However, Julian Alvarez's second and and third goal in the final ten minutes ensured only the second league win of the season for the Colchoneros. The Red and Whites are currently languishing at the ninth spot in the top fligt table with nine points from six games, nine adrift of leaders Real Madrid. 

Atletico leaking goals

Simeone's side are normally solid at the back, but that has not been the case this season, already conceding seven times in six outings. Moreover, Colchoneros conceded three against Liverpool in Europe and that will be a cause of concern ahead of facing the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. 

Real Madrid have been perfect across their seven games in all competitions this season. Los Blancos secured all three points against Levante on Wednesday thanks to first-half efforts from Vinicius and Franco Mastantuono and Mbappe's second-half brace. Xabi Alonso's side are currently two points clear of the chasing pack. 

Mbappe in brilliant form

Mbappe has been in brilliant form, leading the La Liga goal-scoring charts with seven scalps to his name, while the likes of Vinicius and Federico Valverde have recorded three assists each. Moreover, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has kept three clea sheets in the league so far. 

Real Madrid have not managed to beat Atletico in La Liga since September 2022. Meanwhile, the last time these teams met was in March in the Champions League last 16, when Atletico were eliminated after Alvarez's controversially disallowed shootout penalty. It will be Alonso's first Spanish capital derby as Real Madrid manager after he spent 2009-14 playing for the Los Blancos.