Diego Simeone kept details of the Madrid derby under wraps during Atletico 's final training session before hosting Real Madrid.

The Argentine coach decided to move his team's training session from the Cerro del Espino training ground to the Metropolitano, where he shielded his players from prying eyes, so as not to reveal his plans.

EFE - Julian Alvarez.jpg
Julian Alvarez just scored an important hat-trick. Photo: EFE

It was a very light training session, with very few certainties. Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente, Julian Alvarez and eight others.

Atletico's form has been inconsistent this season, following a tumultuous summer transfer window with a host of new signings.

Atleti’s new signings were either injured or unable to integrate, so Simeone’s pragmatic football philosophy – “Cholismo” – did not work.

Atletico have won just two of their last six games, conceding seven goals – a high rate given the team’s usual style and goalkeeper Jan Oblak. As a result, the red and white team are currently sitting in 8th place in La Liga 2025/26 .

The good news for Simeone is that Julian Alvarez has fully recovered and is back in action. “La Arana” (The Spider) just scored an important hat-trick to help Atletico beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 in the Madrid derby.

Imago - Julian Alvarez Atletico Real Madrid.jpg
Alvarez's pain is still raw. Photo: Imago/Zuma

Now comes another, more important Madrid derby. Julian Alvarez and Atletico face Real Madrid – the opponents who gave them a bitter fight not long ago.

It was the second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League round of 16. Alvarez slipped on the penalty kick, VAR intervened and overturned the result, causing Atletico to be eliminated in an angry manner.

That situation changed the penalty shootout rules of world football. More than anyone, Alvarez wanted to get revenge when he met Real Madrid again at Metropolitano.

Pay back and stop the winning streak of the neighbor. Real Madrid has not dropped any points after 6 La Liga matches and 1 Champions League match with Xabi Alonso.

In recent matches, Alonso has actively rotated his players. However, in the derby, he can use the players who have been in the best form since the beginning of the season.

EFE - Levante Real Madrid.jpg
Real Madrid have a perfect record. Photo: EFE

Arda Guler continues to be the highlight of the game. Mastantuono is capable of playing as a right forward after scoring his first goal in a white shirt. Vinicius is also considered to start, after finding joy again.

Jude Bellingham could be on the bench if he is not in good shape. With derbies and Alonso's high pressing demands, the player is required to play with 200% energy.

The Madrid derby promises to be a fierce battle, as Simeone and Xabi Alonso are no strangers to each other.

Force:

Atletico: Gimenez, Thiago Almada injured; Johnny Cardoso's ability to play is unclear.

Real Madrid: Mendy, Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold injured.

Expected lineup:

Atletico (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Giuliano, Barrios, Koke, Nico Gonzalez; Raspadori, Julian Alvarez.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni, Valverde; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Match odds: Real Madrid handicap 1/4

Goal ratio: 2 3/4

Prediction: 2-2 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-atletico-vs-real-madrid-vong-7-la-liga-2446587.html