On March 23 at 4:00 AM, Matchday 29 of the 2025-2026 La Liga season will feature a highly anticipated clash as Atlético Madrid travels to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to take on their city rivals, Real Madrid. With several players sidelined, this derby presents a formidable challenge for Atlético.
Third Encounter of the Season, Evenly Matched So Far
This match is the third meeting between the two Madrid teams across all competitions this season. In the previous two encounters, both sides have secured one victory, leaving the score even.
The first showdown was on September 25th of last year, during Matchday 7 of La Liga. Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 5-2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, with goals from Le Normand, Sørloth, Álvarez (2), and Griezmann. The second clash took place on January 9th of this year in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Atlético lost 1-2, with Sørloth scoring the team’s only goal.
Both Teams in Good Form Despite a Packed Schedule
Over the past two months, both teams have endured a demanding schedule with two matches per week but have managed to maintain good form. Last weekend, Atlético Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 league victory over Getafe, thanks to a goal from Molina. In their midweek Champions League Round of 16 second leg, the team advanced after a thrilling match in London against Tottenham Hotspur, winning 7-5 on aggregate. Real Madrid has been equally impressive, beating Elche 4-1 in their last league game and defeating Manchester City 2-1 away in the Champions League, advancing with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Atlético’s Away Record and Player Absences
Looking at the historical head-to-head record, Atlético Madrid has struggled in La Liga matches at the Bernabéu. In their past 88 away league games against Real Madrid, Atlético has a record of 15 wins, 18 draws, and 55 losses. However, it’s worth noting that in their last three away league matches at the stadium, Atlético has managed to secure a 1-1 draw each time.
Ahead of the match, Atlético Madrid’s head coach Diego Simeone announced the squad list. The team confirmed that Reinildo Mandava, Pablo Barrios, starting goalkeeper Jan Oblak, and Marc Pubill will all miss the derby. These absences will significantly impact the team’s lineup and strategy.
