Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid resume their rivalry in the first Madrid derby of the season on Saturday, and even at this early stage in the season, in Matchday 7, this is a huge game for both clubs. Real Madrid are looking to strengthen their grip at the top of the table, following a great start under Xabi Alonso, while Los Colchoneros want to bounce back after a very difficult start to the season in which they’ve dropped too many points already.

Despite their difficult start, a victory in Madrid derby would be a huge moment and would kickstart Atletico Madrid’s season. Three points would bring Atleti within six points of their city rivals and keep their title hopes alive. It would also be their first victory over Real Madrid in La Liga in over two years, as they haven’t defeated their rivals in this competition since Matchday 6 of the 2023/24 campaign, a 3-1 win at home.

In fact, the past three derbies between these clubs in La Liga have all finished as 1-1 draws. It was an especially dramatic draw when these sides met at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano this time last year, as Angel Correa equalised in the 95th minute of the game.

Xabi Alonso’s first Madrid derby as coach

For new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, this is his first Madrid derby in charge of Los Blancos. He did play in a number of derbies as a Real Madrid player though, featuring in a total of 16 across all competitions, winning 12, drawing two and losing two. The Spaniard also celebrated a victory in a derby he didn’t play in, the 2014 Champions League final when he was suspended but famously jumped down from the stands to run along the sidelines in his suit and celebrate with his teammates.

Even as a coach, this isn’t Alonso’s first duel against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. One of his first games after taking over at Bayer Leverkusen was at the Metropolitano, a 2022/23 Champions League group stage game which finished in a 2-2 draw. The German and Spanish clubs met again in last season’s league phase, with Atleti winning on that occasion thanks to a pair of goals from Julian Alvarez.

World-class competition

As always, the Madrid derby will be a match which showcases some of the best players in world footballer. Kylian Mbappe is in excellent form for Real Madrid and has picked up where he left off last season, when he won the European Golden Boot. Alongside him he has Vinicius, looking for his first ever La Liga goal against Atletico, while the likes of Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eder Miliao are all enjoying great starts under Alonso.

On the Atletico Madrid side, Diego Simeone has several incredible Argentinian talents to call upon, from his son Giuliano Simeone to the lethal forward Julian Alvarez to the summer signing. Antoine Griezmann, even in a slightly diminished role this season, also knows what it’s like to score in Madrid derby, and his experience could be crucial. As Correa proved last season, the ability to impact the game from the bench can be crucial.

Available to watch in the UK on Premier Sports and Disney+, a refreshed group of LALIGA pundits will lead the coverage, including familiar names to UK audiences in Graham Hunter, Gaizka Mendieta and Phil Kitromilides.