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A battle of unbeaten city rivals at the Metropolitano. Atlético de Madrid will seek to announce itself as a genuine title contender in season 2024/25 by defeating fierce rivals Real Madrid in El Derbi Madrileño on Sunday night.
Atlético Madrid (4-3-0, 15 points) return home to the Cívitas Metropolitano after picking up four of a possible six points from visits to Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo. Thursday?s last-minute win at Celta saw star signing Julián Alvarez deliver his first ?signature moment? in red and white, as La Araña?s 90th-minute goal puts Atlético in position to overtake Real Madrid with another victory in front of an expected 70,000 fans.

Captain?s word. pic.twitter.com/GT1dUqRMrt? Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 27, 2024
Madrid (5-2-0, 17 points) survived a late scare against Alavés on Tuesday, hanging on to win 3-2 and pushing its unbeaten run in LALIGA to 39 games. The Pyrrhic victory saw Los Blancos lose their own star signing, Kylian Mbappé, to a thigh injury; the France captain will not play in the season?s first derby. But Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of other weapons at his disposal, including Rodrygo Goes, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, and Ballon d?Or favorite Vinícius Jr.

? Diego Simeone: ? Mbappe?s absence" Knowing Ancelotti, he?ll look to start with Bellingham as a playmaker or out on the left. There?s also the possibility of Modric in the middle or Rodrygo.? pic.tw...