This Saturday afternoon, the Spanish capital of Madrid will be buzzing with energy, noise, and pure soccer drama. That’s because Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid face off in El Derbi Madrileño, one of the most intense rivalries in world soccer.

If you’re wondering why this matchup feels even bigger than normal, the answer is simple: Real Madrid are flying high with a perfect start to the season, while Atletico Madrid are trying to prove they can still compete at the very top. Add in history, passionate fans, and some of the best players in the world, and you’ve got the recipe for one of the most exciting games of the 2025/26 LaLiga season.

Real Madrid’s Perfect Start

Let’s start with Real Madrid. Under their new coach Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos have won all six of their opening league matches. That’s 18 points from 18 available—a 100% record. They’ve scored 14 goals and only conceded 3, which shows they’re strong both in attack and in defense.

In other words: Real look like a well-oiled machine.

But here’s the twist: even though Real are looking unstoppable right now, they have struggled against Atletico Madrid in recent years. Believe it or not, Real Madrid haven’t beaten Atletico Madrid in LaLiga since September 2022. That’s a long drought for such a big team!

Atletico’s Recent Derby Record

Even though Atletico Madrid are sitting down in ninth place, Diego Simeone’s team have been tough to beat in this rivalry. In the last five LaLiga derbies, Atletico Madrid are unbeaten—most of those ended in 1-1 draws.

Here’s a quick soccer fact: in all competitions since 2017, Atletico Madrid have only lost two home games against Real. And those games were at their fortress, the Estadio Metropolitano, where fans create one of the loudest atmospheres in Europe.

So while Real may have the form, Atletico Madrid have the history and the home advantage.

Why the Atmosphere Will Be Intense

If you’ve ever watched a derby game, you’ll know it’s not just the players who bring the heat—it’s also the fans. Atletico’s supporters are famous for being some of the most passionate in Europe. They wave huge flags, sing songs for the entire match, and create a wall of noise that can rattle even the best players.

This time, they’ll need that extra boost because Atletico Madrid had one less day of rest compared to Real. Simeone’s side played Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, a game they eventually won thanks to two late goals from Julian Alvarez. That shows fight and determination, but it also means some players could be tired when the derby kicks off.

Atletico’s Struggles This Season

Looking at the bigger picture, Atletico’s start to the 2025/26 season has been shaky. They’ve only lost once, but they’ve also drawn three times and have just two wins. They’ve scored 9 goals and conceded 7, which isn’t terrible—but it’s not the form of a title challenger either.

Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward, has been one of the bright sparks. His finishing ability and energy could be the difference in this derby, just like he showed last season in the Champions League with his stunning goal at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid’s Injury Problems at the Back

Now, let’s flip back to Real Madrid. They may be winning, but they’re also dealing with a bit of an injury crisis in defense. Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out. That’s three key defenders missing.

The good news for Real fans is that Dean Huijsen, a young center-back, has stepped up brilliantly. He’s proving to be one of the breakout stars of the season. Alongside him, Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Carreras have been rock-solid as wing-backs.

So yes, Real’s defense is injured—but they’re still finding solutions.

The Midfield Battle: Bellingham vs. Atleti

When we talk about Real Madrid, we can’t ignore Jude Bellingham. The English star is back from injury, and this is exactly the type of big stage where he shines. He brings goals, creativity, and leadership even though he’s still young.

Alongside him, Eduardo Camavinga is also returning from injury and pushing for a starting spot. If both play, Real’s midfield will be incredibly dynamic.

Up front, it’s a party of options. Vinícius Jr., fresh from scoring in midweek, will probably line up next to Kylian Mbappé, Real’s superstar forward. But Alonso can also call on Rodrygo, Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz, Gonzalo García, and Endrick. That’s an insane amount of attacking depth.

One fun fact: under Xabi Alonso, reputation doesn’t guarantee a start. If you’re not performing, you sit on the bench—no matter how big your name is. That has kept the squad hungry and competitive.

The Referee Situation: A Talking Point

Soccer isn’t just about the players—it’s also about the referees. This derby will be officiated by Alberola Rojas, who was voted LaLiga’s best referee last season. But the big story is the use of VAR.

For this game, two Madrid-born officials—Carlos del Cerro Grande and Valentín Pizarro Gómez—have been put in charge of VAR. That’s unusual because usually leagues avoid appointing local officials for derby games, in order to prevent accusations of bias.

So if there are controversial VAR calls during the match, expect lots of debates in the media afterward.

Why This Derby Feels Special

Put all of these ingredients together and you can see why this derby feels extra spicy:

• Real Madrid are perfect so far, but they’ve struggled in recent derbies.

• Atletico Madrid have the home crowd advantage and a strong record against Real.

• Big stars like Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Bellingham will be on display.

• Young talents like Dean Huijsen and Julian Alvarez are ready to make headlines.

• Referee and VAR decisions could add another layer of drama.

And don’t forget—if Atletico Madrid manage to stop Real’s winning streak, the biggest winners of the weekend could be Barcelona, who would have a chance to close the gap at the top of the table.

Combo Soccer Fact Section

• Combo 1: Real Madrid have scored 14 goals and only conceded 3 this season + Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last 5 LaLiga derbies = Expect a tight, tense battle.

• Combo 2: Julian Alvarez scored 2 goals midweek + Real Madrid’s defense has injuries = Atletico’s best chance might be to hit fast and early.

• Combo 3: Real Madrid have incredible attacking options + Atletico’s home crowd support = Clash of firepower vs. passion.

Final Thoughts

El Derbi Madrileño is always exciting, but this year it feels even more gripping. Real Madrid want to keep their perfect record, Atletico Madrid want to prove they’re still a force, and fans all over the world will be watching every pass, tackle, and shot.

One thing is certain: no matter what happens, this derby will give us soccer drama at its very best.