Atletico Madrid, the only team to defeat Real Madrid last season, will look to draw inspiration from their previous triumphs as they prepare for Sunday’s highly anticipated home derby. While a league win over Real Madrid did little to disrupt their rivals’ dominant run, their Copa del Rey victory ended Real’s hopes of a historic treble.
Despite the limited rest time leading up to the match, Atletico manager Diego Simeone remains optimistic about his team’s ability to maintain motivation and performance. “A lot has changed up to this moment. It’s an aspect in which we’ve improved, and that’s why the club has grown as it has, and the team is held to the standards it is,” Simeone stated on Saturday. He further emphasized the mental aspect of the game, saying “Everything starts in the mind. Beyond the physical aspect, which can have an influence at times, motivation is an important weapon for everything in life.”
Real Madrid players enjoy a two-day advantage in terms of rest, having played their midweek match on Tuesday, while Atletico faced Celta Vigo on Thursday. While acknowledging the challenge of managing the tight schedule, Simeone remains determined to find a balance and adapt to the circumstances. “It’s tough to change things in two days, based on what we’ve been doing,” he admitted. “We are still in the process of finding our balance, we are adapting and we get it right more or less. But it is true that we need more time.”
Simeone further highlighted the significance of mental fortitude, stating, “We accept it as it is. We said it before when we went to play against Athletic Bilbao in the (Copa del Rey) semifinal, them with five days and us with two days of rest. No one cares.”
The only home defeat for Atletico this year came in February’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Bilbao, the eventual champions. Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe due to injury, Simeone acknowledges the threat posed by Real Madrid’s firepower, particularly from playmaker Jude Bellingham. However, he believes Real will miss the influence of Toni Kroos, who retired last season, and will be looking for a player to fill the void. “The opponent has lost a very important player like Kroos. I think they are looking for that player who gives them that calm to take advantage of all their offensive power,” he added.
The Madrid derby is set to be a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to prove their dominance and secure crucial points in the early stages of the La Liga season. Atletico Madrid will be determined to capitalize on their past successes against Real Madrid and demonstrate their resilience despite the challenging circumstances.
