Atletico Madrid go welcome Real Madrid to Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, and Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone go renew rivalry wey nobody see for more than decade.
The two managers never face each other since 2014, when Mourinho be Chelsea manager and Atleti knock the English side out of Champions League for Stamford Bridge.
But this one no be their first Madrid derby as rival managers. That one happen two years before the Champions League encounter, when Simeone Atletico welcome Mourinho to their former home, Vicente Calderon Stadium, during Portuguese first reign as Real boss. Mourinho leave with 4-1 win that day.
Mourinho talk say, ‘This is a derby. Derbies always something more special because of history, culture of the games and passion of the fans.’ But as pragmatist, he add say, ‘But obviously three points na most important thing.’
Mourinho get three wins and one draw in their six previous meetings, while Atleti 2013 Copa del Rey triumph end 14-year wait for derby victory.
Real Madrid go into match second for La Liga with 15 points from six games, with Real Betis on same number of points and Atletico fourth on 13. Barcelona dey lead table on 21 points, meaning defeat for Mourinho men go leave them six points behind after first seven matches.
Atleti themselves respond to consecutive defeats by Athletic Club and Liverpool with back-to-back victories, beating Real Sociedad 3-0 and then Osasuna 4-0. Real Madrid also come into derby on back of success, edging past Elche 3-2.
Mourinho spend much of build-up resisting comparisons with Atleti and Barcelona, despite contrasting narratives around clubs. Hansi Flick Barcelona side make perfect start with eight wins in all competitions – seven in league – while Real had to produce defining moments in several matches. Their last league outing against Elche reflect this. Real lead 2-0 before dem drag am back to 2-2, only for substitute Carlos Espi to score 91st-minute winner.
Mourinho talk say, ‘It’s not normal to be winning 2-0 then the other team able to equalise,’ while pointing to character shown by him players in finding late winners. ‘The league na marathon and it’s not always straight line. There will be obstacles, but we will be there to overcome them.’
That ability to manage matches be one of main questions around Real as Mourinho acknowledge say dem never reach level of control he want, despite positive results. ‘I dey aware of fact we can improve, we have to improve, but I also see a lot of very positive collective and individual things and in the three games where we need last-minute winners, we find them,’ he add.
The derby carry particular significance because of Real recent difficulties at Metropolitano, where dem win only two of past 11 away matches, with last in La Liga four years ago. Atleti also win corresponding derby last season 5-2 – result wey represent early setback for Real previous project under Xabi Alonso. This time, though, different manager dey touchline. Mourinho return this summer don bring familiar emphasis on organisation and adaptability, but he insist him tactical approach dey dictated by players available to him rather than fixed philosophy. ‘I don evolve alongside my players,’ he talk. ‘You have what you like and don’t like as manager but then you have to work with group of players you have.’
Simeone assessment of Real biggest weapon clear. ‘Dem better in transition than us,’ talk Argentine, who don manage Atleti in over 800 games since taking charge for 2011. He believe Real ability to turn winning ball into instant attacking opportunities go be one of key tactical elements for game. ‘When there’s loss of possession, dem look for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, dem play to that strength,’ Simeone add. ‘We have to read game well and not allow any turnovers, so we no allow dem use those transitions.’
It is warning wey carry weight given attacking options and speed available to Mourinho. France striker Mbappe remain focal point, while Vinicius Jr provide another route into space. Real also get quality to change game from bench, something 21-year-old Espi don already demonstrate since him summer arrival from Levante.
Aware of feisty and hostile encounters of old, Simeone don urge him players not to become overwhelmed by occasion. ‘I no be one for giving advice,’ he talk when asked how him players should approach fixture. ‘It’s normal for new players to feel pressure, with excitement a game like this generates, but dem need to be calm. Football na about composure.’
Simeone, though, describe Atleti as team still ‘in construction’ after busy summer in which seven players leave and five arrive. One of biggest selection issues concerning him involve compatriot Julian Alvarez, who don miss past two games with muscle problem. Forward Alexander Sorloth also injured, while new signing, Canadian Jonathan David, don score in each of him last two appearances. However, Simeone confirm Alvarez go feature at some point, giving him side more strength in attack and threat in transition.
While both he and Mourinho go plot downfall of other team, respect dey between pair after their past. ‘I get huge respect for Mourinho, I don be admirer of him for long time,’ Simeone talk. ‘He know regard I get for him. Hopefully we can compete as we don do when we face him.’ Mourinho reveal say dem ask him to discuss Simeone for documentary and he no hesitate to speak positive about him. Having been in charge for 100 days, he refuse to give himself positive or negative assessment. ‘All I can say na say I don give it my all,’ he talk. ‘I give 100%. We have to keep on doing that every day.’
Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill confirm say upcoming clash against Real Madrid represent major challenge in race for La Liga title. Pubill sit down with Spanish newspaper Marca and, asked about Champions League semi-final exit and whether competition don become obsession for club, he talk say, ‘Yes, I think na title everybody want, and we always fight to be crowned with it, which na wetin we go try achieve this season.’
Asked how harsh elimination be after knocking out major contender like Barcelona, Pubill explain say, ‘Yes, especially since we put in excellent performance in semi-final and we close, but we lack small details wey make difference, and for that reason perhaps pain greater.’
The defender also address how dressing room handle intense media coverage around Julian Alvarez during summer. ‘We experience it from inside dressing room exactly as dem see from outside. Julian na wonderful and very special player, and we fortunate to get him with us. We all go enjoy playing alongside him and helping him, and we hope he give us very best he get, because he na world-class player.’
Asked if anticipated clash against Real Madrid na most important match of season, Pubill answer say, ‘It is special match, without doubt, but it remains match like any other and e give us three additional points.’ He watch last season 5-2 from outside pitch. Now he fit start. ‘Yes, of course I dream of being key part of such matches, and at early stage,’ Pubill talk.
Asked whether he fear facing Real Madrid stars like Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham, Atletico defender reply say, ‘Dem be great players and dem get wonderful team, but we too be great team, and we go fight on pitch to beat them. But no, no fear whatsoever.’
