Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid summary: score, goals, highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 2023-24
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid as it happened: LaLiga EA Sports 2023-24
Full time: Atlético Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid
You don’t get much more Atlético Madrid than flying out of the traps and getting in the faces of your opponents in the early stages of a big game, and that’s what ultimately won this Madrid derby.
The hosts scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes of the first half and then within seconds of the second period being underway, catching Real Madrid completely cold. Three crosses from the left and three headers inside the penalty area, two for Álvaro Morata against his former club, either side of an Antoine Griezmann effort.
Atleti’s usual desire and worth ethic was accompanied by flashes of quality, although they were often careless in possession, which allowed the visitors to work their way back into the game in the first half. Toni Kroos’ superb strike from the edge of the box halved the deficit 10 minutes before the break and it looked for all the world as if Los Blancos were going to equalise in the run-up to the half-time whistle.
Morata’s second goal seconds after the restart completely changed the complexion of the game and undid all the good work Carlo Ancelotti’s side had done in the closing stages of the first half. Long-distance efforts from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger fizzed past the post but, in truth, Jan Oblak had little to do, despite Madrid’s possession, with Jude Bellingham struggling to get into the game.
Just a second win in 13 matches for Atleti in the derby and one they worked incredibly hard for.
Last word goes to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: "It was my fault"
How do you explain what happened today? And why did you change the formation?
"The formation didn't change; we started with a diamond. But we didn't start well, we didn't defend well. And when they went 2-0 up, they played the game they wanted to. Atleti did it better than us in this regard."
Are you concerned about the lack of concentration?
"It's something we've talked about and will continue to talk about. Many times, they take the lead early, and only in some cases do we come back. Today, we were close, but the 3-1 seals the game; it was too much to come back from."
Who has to take responsibility for the defeat?
"It's my fault."
What next for Atlético Madrid?
Atlético Madrid will be looking to kick on from here and chase down Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the standings. They have a tough-looking clash away to Osasuna on Thursday followed by a home game against Cádiz this time next week.
What next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid's fairytale start to the season is over but the games are coming thick and fast, so they'll need a quick reaction. Carlo Ancelotti's side face Las Palmas at the Bernabéu on Wednesday and then travel to face surprise package Girona at Montilivi on Saturday. That should be a good one!
Morata: "We want kids to feel proud of wearing an Atleti jersey"
Two goals at crucial moments
"I'm very happy for the fans. I said it the other day, the fans were going to have the most important role. And that's how it's been. It's been an incredible atmosphere. We've all been in it together, we've given our all on the field, and they have done the same in the stands.
What did Simeone tell you at halftime?
That we have to play football, that we know how to do it. He encourages us to pass the ball, but sometimes against teams that play well, you can't be at 150% the whole game, and you have to recover a bit, but we can do that with the ball.
Every summer it seems like you're leaving, but you're still here as a starter.
What I need is to feel important. This year I feel more important than in other years, and I hope we can keep winning. I want to win a title with Atleti.
How did the goals make you feel?
As the coach said, we just want kids to go to school feeling proud of wearing an Atleti jersey.
Atleti: passion, intensity, goals
"Goals" haven't always come easily in recent derbies but it was the case in this one. Passion and intensity are givens!
Can Atlético Madrid build on this and mount a title challenge?
Cargando...
Atlético up into fifth after third win a five
A big win for Atleti if they have any aspirations of challenging for the LaLiga title. The defeat to Valencia last week was hugely disappointing but they are now five and six points behind Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, with a game in hand.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
4 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
7 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Real Madrid surrender top spot in LaLiga to Barcelona
Real Madrid started the day in third place and that's where they'll finish it after losing their first game of the season. Barcelona are technically top of the table but would you look at their Catalan rivals Girona, who have only dropped two points in six matches. Superb stuff!
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
2 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
3 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
4 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Real Madrid's 100% winning start to the season over
Real Madrid had won six out of six coming into the derby but that hadn't been entirely convincing, needing late goals to win three of those matches. They came a cropper at the Metropolitano and serious questions will have to be asked in defence given the simplicity of the three Atleti goals.
Cargando...
Atlético Madrid continue superb home form
10 wins in a row for Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano! Home sweet home.
Cargando...
You won't be surprised to hear the Atleti fans are in fine voice as they pay homage to their favourites after the final whistle.
Full time: Atlético Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid
The hosts have done it! Blood and thunder, it's the Atlético way.
Yellow card it is. Seconds left to play!
Ugly challenge from Bellingham
Bellingham has received lots of plaudits for his form since joining Real Madrid, and rightly so. But that was a poor challenge on Correa, borne out of frustration. He's been booked although this might yet be ungraded...
"Olés" ringing round the Metropolitano as Atleti, out of nowhere, keep the ball.
Memphis almost puts the icing on the cake!
Atleti are defending deep but break away through Correo, who picks a nice pass infield for Memphis. The attacker runs goalwards and shots from 25 yards but doesn't quite hit the target.
Six minutes of injury time (AKA Real Madrid time) to be played.
Griezmann is INCREDIBLY lucky to not get a yellow card there for scything down Valverde. How did he get away with that?
Madrid have had the ball for a couple of minutes but there's no way through.
Five minutes to go and the Metropolitano is jumping again!
After a big pause, Atleti decide to make another change. Lino replaced by Javi Galán.
Central defender Giménez replaced by attacker Correa. That is quite un-Cholo-like.
Not a great introduction for Memphis as he doesn't win a foul after a clash with Rüdiger and then gives the ball away needlessly in his own half, putting his team back under pressure.
Cool as a cucumber there from Azpilicueta as he chests a back-post cross down for Oblak to get his hands on.
Two-goal Morata goes off
Memphis Depay comes on for the goalscoring hero!
I gave it the big build up but it comes to nothing, via a corner won by Jude Bellingham, who's barely been involved in this game.
Saúl clatters into Brahim and Madrid have a free-kick in a really good position...
Oblak saves from Brahim!
Atleti squander a promising counter-attacking opportunity and Madrid race up the other end, with Brahim testing Oblak from a tight angle.
Ateti are back on the attack! Lino drifts inside Nacho and shoots, with his strike flying wide off a deflection. The crowd for wild for the first time in a little while (although the corner comes to nothing).
Woeful with a capital W from Mendy as he has a chance to get the ball into the box and sticks it behind the goal.
Both players look as if they are going to continue, which is a bit of a surprise considering the challenge.
Oooooft, that looks like a sore one. Rodrygo trods on the ball just as Witsel goes in for a challenge and both are down.
Atleti are starting to surrender possession a little bit too cheaply, if you ask me. It happened in the first half and it looks like it's happening again.
Brahim on for Kroos
A last change for Ancelotti as Brahim replaces goalscorer Kroos.
Rüdiger fires just wide!
Remember that shot from Tchouaméni a few moments ago? Rüdiger produces a carbon copy from slightly further out and it equally close to flying in the bottom corner.
Mendy sees yellow
Mendy is the second Real Madrid player to go in the book after a late challenge on Llorente. The Frenchman has certainly been putting himself about a bit.
Molina off, Azpilicueta on for Atleti.
Molina was much easier to type, sadly for me.
Tchouaméni goes close!
Are Madrid cranking this back up again? Tchouaméni pounces on a loose ball on the edge of the box and drills a low one goalwards, which fizzes inches wide!
Atleti deal with one corner and then a second. Nothing doing for the visitors just yet.
Rodrygo show deflected wide!
Madrid haven't had much joy going forward in this second half but Rodrygo gets some space in the box and shoots, only for it to fly just wide off Savic.
What's this? An Atlético cross doesn't lead to a goal. Molina whips one in from the right looking for Morata but it's straight into the hands of Kepa.
What a move from Atleti! They were under serious pressure at the back but played their way out brilliantly. It looks as if Griezmann is going to get a shot away but it's blocked.
Fantastic play though.
Lino goes down after being clipped from being by Nacho. Not much in it but expect to see plenty of this moving forward.
Three changes for Real Madrid
Ancelotti has had enough and makes three subs at once.
Mendy, Tchouamnéni and Nacho on for Vázquez, Camavinga and García.
Hermoso heads off the bar!
Atleti do win a corner, though. Hermoso gets his head to it and the ball clips the bar on its way over!
Griezmann passes up decent chance!
Saúl going for a hat-trick there and it would've been the best of the lot. He picks a superb pass for Griezmann, whose touch uncharacteristically lets him down and he can't get a shot away.
Saúl making his 300th LaLiga appearance
300 not out for Saúl in LaLiga against Real Madrid and this, I'm told, is the first time he's ever assisted two goals in the same game. Picked a good one.
Cargando...
Atleti have retreated into their shell, pinned back by their opponents. I don't fancy their chances if they just try to defend their lead.
The majority of the 69,000+ fans were apprehensive towards the end of the first half and guess what? They're not anymore!
Although we've seen enough of Real Madrid to know this a long way from over.
That's completely turned this game on its head again!
Just what they needed! Brilliantly worked down the left and it's ANOTHER cross, from Saúl, and ANOTHER header, from Morata!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAL ATLETI! MORATA!
Just the same? They've started EVEN BETTER!
Second half underway!
Atlético will want to start just like the did in the first period.
Half-time changes for both teams
Witsel replaces Koke for Atleti.
Joselu on for Modric for Madrid.
Modric substituted at half-time
He's been getting less and less game time of late but I still didn't see that coming.
On the other side, Koke won't be continuing. He'd been ill during the week. Let's see who takes his place.
There's some suggestion Ancelotti could make three half-time changes...
Madrid derby sets Metropolitano attendance record!
69,082 souls have turned up for this one, a new record at the Metropolitano!
They've been treated to quite a game so far.
Cargando...
Half time: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid
Two games in one at the Metropolitano. Atleti absolutely flew out of the traps and were ahead within three minutes, Lino’s cross picking out the run of Morata, who glanced a header beyond Kepa. The hosts were intent on landing an early knockout blow and went another step towards doing it before the quarter-of-an-hour mark as another cross from the left, the time from Saúl, landed on the head of Griezmann, who found the bottom corner.
With a raucous stadium right behind them, Atleti went in for the kill and began looking more of a danger down the right, with Molina’s runs causing problems. The Argentine picked out Saúl, who was only denied a third by a fine low stop from Kepa.
But Simeone’s side were careless in possession at times and eventually allowed Real Madrid a way back into the match. Atlético couldn’t keep up their early pace and the visitors turned the screw, offering more of an attacking threat as the half went on. Kroos reduced the deficit with a superb low strike after a cleared cross, setting up a late onslaught. Camavinga thought he had levelled before the break, only to see his goal ruled out for an offside against Rüdiger, who didn’t actually touch the ball but was judged to be interfering with play.
This is set up perfectly for the second half!
Atlético hold on after Real Madrid comeback
Pictures just don't tell the whole story.
Where have we heard about Real Madrid comebacks before?!
Cargando...
Half-time: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid
Absolutely pulsating stuff in the Metropolitano! But did we expect anything else?
Atleti have totally lost their way, they really need the half-time whistle.
Giménez wipes out Rodrygo
A yellow card that has a touch of orange in it as Giménez absolutely cleans Rodrygo right out near the touchline. Just as well the Brazilian jumped out of the way a bit...
Four minutes of injury time.
Luka Modric first in the book
Luka Modric, of all people, is the man shown a yellow card for protesting.
CAMAVINGA GOAL DISALLOWED!
Camavinga has the ball in the net but it's disallowed because of an offside against Rüdiger in the build-up. The German didn't actually touch the ball but was just about interfering with play...
Real Madrid are coming and Vázquez is given far too much space to break forward down their right. He gets as far as the penalty box but Giménez says enough is enough and slides the ball clear.
Kepa has been the only player inside the Real Madrid half for at least a couple of minutes. Atleti will be happy to get to half-time in front.
ALL Real Madrid at the moment.
Oblak saves from Kroos!
Kroos has got his eye in and tries another one from long-range. This time, Oblak gets down low to save fairly comfortably.
It was all going so swimmingly for Atleti...
We know all about Real Madrid's powers of recovery, they're right on the front foot now.
Game very much on!
Valverde's cross from the right is headed away as far as Kroos, who takes a touch, cuts inside Llorente and rifles low past Oblak, who had no chance!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAL REAL MADRID! KROOS!
Never, ever, rule Real Madrid out!
This is being played an electric pace.
Rodrygo goes down in the box...
Nothing doing say the match officials.
Huge save from Kepa!
Atleti are getting away down the right time and again. Molina breaks into the box and does manage to pick out Saúl, whose first-time shot is blocked at close-range by Kepa!
From the corner, Valverde heads straight at Oblak. A decent chance!
Camavinga shot deflected just over!
Deafening whistles go round the ground as Griezmann goes down injured and Real Madrid play on. The visitors eventually get a shot away through Camavinga, which takes a touch off a defender and flies just over.
Lovely play from the hosts! Molina gets away down the right and looks to pick out Morata in the middle but Vázquez gets back to make a last-ditch interception before he pulls the trigger!
There's another one. Molina tries to thread the needle for Morata but doesn't quite hit the target. At least that one was in the opposition half.
Atleti careless in possession
They might be 2-0 up but Atleti have lost possession cheaply quite a few times already in this game. Real Madrid haven't been able to take advantage but Simeone will want his team to nip that in the bud.
Morata opens the scoring for Atleti!
You know how some players don't celebrate against their former clubs? Yeh, that's not Álvaro Morata.
Cargando...
Modric fires over!
In all honestly, you'd expect better from the Croat there. The ball falls to him from a clearance at the edge of the box but that's high, wide and not very handsome.
WHAT. A. NOISE.
Another cross from the left and another header! Inch perfect from Saúl and then from Griezmann!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL ATLETI! GRIEZMANN!
What did I just say?! What a player!
Griezmann...what a player!
Some intricate link-up with Lino and Morata almost leads to a chance for Moilina but they can't quite work the ball out to him.
Kroos' corner is cleared and Atleti race away on the counter! Lino skips past García and tries to feed Morata but his pass infield is cut out.
Alaba strikes it well but it clips the wall and goes out for a corner.
A free-kick in a VERY dangerous position here for the visitors!
Atleti are, as you might expect, happy to let Madrid have the ball. Valverde has a good chance to whip a cross in but opts to try to feed Vázquez, who is crowded out.
The game being played exclusively in the Atleti half at the moment. Which would've suited "vintage" Atleti down to the ground.
It's a bit early for desperation but Kroos lines one up from all of 35 yards. A deflection takes the sting out of it and Kepa claims easily.
Giménez heads just wide!
A great start for Atleti! Two players just miss Griezmann's corner, the ball is headed back in by Koke and Giménez directs a header narrowly wide!
I never think of Griezmann being especially quick but he very nearly gets a run on Rüdiger and would've been clean through if he'd managed to get a toe in the ball.
As much as Lino delivered a superb cross for Morata, García has just slashed a horror delivery into the stand behind the goal.
Plenty of possession for Madrid since the goal but no way through at the moment.
Maybe I didn't jinx it after all...
What a cross from Lino on the left and Morata gets away from Alaba to head beyond Kepa. The Metropolitano is BOUNCING!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL ATLETI! MORATA!
What a start for the hosts!
Bellingham takes a tumble in the area under a challenge from Giménez but it doesn't look as if there's anything doing...
First corner goes to Atleti but it's easily dealt with by Madrid.
Underway in Madrid!
Here we go, strap yourselves in!
What an atmosphere at the Metropolitano!
Kick-off seconds away in Madrid!
Are you ready?!
Real Madrid team to play Atlético Madrid
With no Vinícius, how will Real Madrid line up in attack? We'll soon find out!
Kepa; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Alaba, Fran García; Modric, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Camavinga; Rodrygo.
- goalkeeper
- 25Arrizabalaga
- defenders
- 17Lucas Vázquez
- 20Fran Garcia
- 4Alaba
- 22Rüdiger
- midfielders
- 15Federico Valverde
- 10Modric
- 8Kroos
- 12Camavinga
- forwards
- 5Jude Bellingham
- 11Rodrygo
- substitutes
- CoachCarlo Ancelottis
- 19Dani Ceballos
- 23Ferland Mendy
- 21Brahim Diaz
- 18Aurelien Tchouameni
- 13Andriy Lunin
- 30Fran González
- 14Joselu
- 6Nacho
Atlético Madrid team to play Real Madrid: no De Paul
Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Thomas Lemar are the main absentees for Atleti due to injury.
This is how Simeone is sending his side out:
Oblak, Savic, Giménez, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, Saúl, Lino; Morata, Griezmann.
- goalkeeper
- 13Oblak
- defenders
- 2Giménez
- 22Mario Hermoso
- 16Nahuel Molina
- 12Samuel Lino
- 15Savic
- midfielders
- 8Saúl
- 14Marcos Llorente
- 6Koke
- forwards
- 19Morata
- 7Griezmann
- substitutes
- CoachDiego Simeones
- 9Depay
- 10Correa
- 1Ivo Grbic
- 17Javi Galán
- 20Witsel
- 3Azpilicueta
- 25Rodrigo Riquelme
- 31Antonio Gomis
- 27Ilias Kostis
Vinícius Júnior misses out for Real Madrid
Just a little reminder of the big news ahead today's clash: Real Madrid will again be without key winger Vinícius Júnior. He had been expected to return to action, according to Carlo Ancelotti, but has ultimately been ruled out.
So, what happened? Here's more.
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid: last five meetings
Only one win in the last 12 competitive games for Atleti against Real Madrid. Here are the last five.
February 2023: Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid
January 2023: Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid
September 2022: Atlético Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
May 2022: Atlético Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
December 2021: Real Madrid 2-0 Atlético Madrid
Jude Bellingham makes first Real Madrid appearance against Atlético Madrid
Look away now, Atleti fans. Jude Bellingham scored on his Real Madrid debut in pre-season, scored on his competitive Real Madrid debut in LaLiga and scored on his Real Madrid debut in the Champions League.
This boy was born for the big time and there's not much bigger than a Madrid derby.
Cargando...
Goals, goals, goals
At the risk of completely jinxing it, I should also say that I've covered three games this week and they've produced 17 goals.
Keep them coming!
Just since I mentioned it, this was the Barcelona victory that took the reigning LaLiga champions back to the top of the table. We'll be doing well to get a game that's even half as dramatic as this one, which I was lucky enough to cover yesterday.
The Catalans were absolutely hopeless and Celta were superb for 80 minutes, but soccer matches last 90 minutes and Barça somehow managed to turn things around with three goals in the last 10 minutes.One of the greatest comebacks I have ever seen and one which nobody saw coming after Celta's second goal, which, by the way, was absolutely brilliant!
How have Real Madrid started the 2023-24 season?
The chances are you already know the answer to that question, but here we go anyway. Real Madrid have won every single game so far this season (five in LaLiga, one in the Champions League).
The won the first two by a two-goal margin but have since only managed to squeeze past Celta, Getafe, Real Sociedad and Union Berlin by the odd goal. In true Real Madrid fashion, Bellingham, of course, scored later winners in three of those matches, although they would undoubtedly prefer to get the job done a little earlier.
Victories for Barcelona and Girona on Saturday knocked Carlo Ancelotti's team off top spot, which they will regain with a win in the derby.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
2 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
3 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
4 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
5 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Antoine Griezmann to spearhead Atleti challenge
You can't a world-class soccer player unless you're known by your initials and number. Thanks Cristiano.
Antoine Griezmann was superb in the second half of last season as Atleti roared into the Champions League places although he hasn't really got properly going this time around. Could today be the day?
Cargando...
How have Atlético Madrid started the 2023-24 season?
In case you're looking at the above graphic and wondering how on earth Atlético can be in 10th place in the table while being so strong at home, that's because this is just their second game at the Metropolitano in 2023-24. After defeating Granada in mid-August, their next home fixture against Sevilla was postponed because of storms in Madrid (I thought it was always sunny in Spain?).
They've played three times on the road, with their most notable result an incredible 7-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano, although their last outing ended in a 3-0 loss to Valencia, which Simeone called one of Atleti's worst games in his almost 12 years in charge.
T | MP | W | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
9 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
10 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
11 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
12 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Metropolitano ready for the Madrid derby
Have you ever been to the it'll-change-again-in-a-couple-of-years Metropolitano?
Many "new" soccer stadiums get criticism for being a bit too shiny and all looking the same, but this one is a cracker. Atlético's previous stadium, the Vicente Calderón, was as iconic as it was falling to pieces, but the fans have done a pretty good job at keeping the noise in at their new home.
Cargando...
Real Madrid arrive at the Civitas Metropolitano
Ah, the Real Madrid CM hasn't been caught out, they know their stuff. Here's the obligatory clip of the visitors arriving at the Civitas Metropolitano, as if we needed proof.
Cargando...
No place like the Metropolitano for Atlético Madrid
In case you missed it, the Wanda Metropolitano is no longer called the Wanda Metropolitano, it is now the Civitas Metropolitano, angering the huge numbers of fans in Spain who simply called it "El Wanda".
Does this message from Atlet on X stack up? It turns out it does.
Their last home defeat in any competition came against LaLiga champions Barcelona in January, they are unbeaten in their last 12 matches on their own patch and go into the derby having wonnine home matches in a row.
What a run!
Cargando...
The age-old question related to Atleti's 3-5-2 system. Will it be a back three or a back five? Historically, you probably know the answer given Diego Simeone is the manager but we've seen a new Cholo in recent times...
Atlético Madrid team to play Real Madrid
Helpfully, Atleti have laid their starting line-up out in the formation they are likely to play. Thank you.
Unhelpfully, the font is teeny tiny. Thanks for nothing. Got there in the end though.
Oblak, Savic, Giménez, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, Saúl, Lino; Morata, Griezmann.
Cargando...
One hour and 15 minutes before kick-off is unbelievably late for Real Madrid to be naming their team for a game of soccer, compared to normal. I can only assume their CM got accidentally locked out of their Twitter...sorry X account.
Real Madrid team to play Atlético Madrid: no Vinícius, Modric starts
Here we go!
Vázquez does indeed keep his place, while it will be interesting to see how Madrid line up offensively. Will Camavinga play on the left? Or does Rodrygo move out wide and Bellingham through the middle?
Kepa; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Alaba, Fran García; Modric, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Camavinga; Rodrygo.
Cargando...
Early Real Madrid team news: Dani Carvajal also absent
And the good news just keeps on coming for Carlo Ancelotti! Right-back Dani Carvajal has played a much more attacking role this season in Real Madrid's new system but maybe he's been sprinting up and down that touchline a bit too much. He missed training on Tuesday and the Champions League win over Union Berlin the following day, and Ancelotti has revealed he will not be ready for Griezmann and co.
Lucas Vázuqez is expected to continue in his place.
Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão long-term absentees for Real Madrid
Of course, it's not just Vinícius who is out of action for Real Madrid. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and central defender Eder Militão, two of the first names on the team sheet, incredibly suffered ACL tears within days of each other in August and could miss the whole season. We have yet to see Turkish wonderkid Arda Güler, meanwhile, because of a knee problem.
Early Real Madrid team news: Vinícius ruled out
What on earth is going on with Vinícius Júnior?! Just yesterday, Carlo Ancelotti said he was fit to return to play against Atlético Madrid and now he's been ruled out? Eh?!
Well, it turns out that the winger has not, in fact, suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problem that has kept him out of the last three matches but has instead been struggling with a dicky tummy. Poor thing.
Incidentally, man of the moment Jude Bellingham also missed some training this week for the very same reason, although he has now fully recovered and should be back at his swashbuckling, arm-rasing-after-scoring-a-goal best.
Early Atlético Madrid team news
Atlético boss Diego Simeone doesn't have his injury issues to seek for the derby, especially in midfield. Thomas Lemar is a long-term absentee, youngster Pablo Barrios suffered an injury against Lazio in midweek and Argentine World Cup-winner Rodrigo De Paul isn't expected to be involved either.
Defenders Çağlar Söyüncü and Reinildo Mandava are also in the treatment room.
Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way, here's a little something I made earlier with all the details!
You can watch Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial
What time does Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid kick-off?
The clash at in the Spanish capital gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which makes it 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT. A pre- or post-lunch LaLiga treat, depending on where you are.
Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!
Atlético Madrid next to try to stop Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham arrived at Real Madrid to plenty of fanfare in the summer and now we all know exactly why. He scored on his debut in pre-season and in his first competitive appearance against Athletic Club. He then bagged a brace against Almería and netted late winners against Celta and Getafe, that latter strike coming on his Bernabéu debut. After a quiet performance last weekend against Real Sociedad, he then went and secured another victory in injury-time for his team on his Champions League debut for Los Blancos against Union Berlin.
Real Madrid is the Jude Bellingham show at the moment. Can Atlético Madrid stop him?
Hello and welcome to Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid!
There's one match left of LaLiga 2023-24 matchday six and what a match it is!
Real Madrid swagger across town, 100% record under their arm, to face city rivals Atlético Madrid, who will be dying to be the first team to beat them this season and send them home packing. Can Carlo Ancelotti's side move back above Barcelona and Girona (yes, Girona) to the top of LaLiga or will Atleti gain some ground on their noisy neighbours?
I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one, which should be an absolute cracker!