El Derbi Madrileno: Cholo's sweat, Courtois episode 7 against Metropolitano net

The last derby at the Metropolitano ended in chaos: Julian Alvarez’s penalty, taken with what some swore was a double touch (depending on whether your heart beats white or red-and-white). That was in March, in the Champions League.

The last league derby? A rain of lighters on Courtois’s goal that stopped play for 20 minutes. Tension—“passion,” as Xabi Alonso calls it—comes with the package. And this time, it’s the first true heavyweight clash of the season, conveniently set up by LaLiga’s so-called “directed” draw, which gives the big teams a soft opening stretch. Atletico, aside from Villarreal, has had little to sweat about.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has taken full advantage—six wins from six. Atletico hasn’t kept pace, dropping nine points. The explanation lies in Simeone’s overhaul of his squad: eight departures (Lino, Riquelme, Correa, Witsel, Lemar, Reinildo, Azpilicueta, De Paul) and eight arrivals (Baena, Almada, Hancko, Cardoso, Ruggeri, Pubill, Raspadori, Nico Gonzalez).

On top of that, they’ve splashed the same 175 million euros as Madrid on just four talents: Mastantuono, Carreras, Huijsen, and Trent. Results aside, Simeone’s authority hasn’t wavered. Since arriving in 2011, Atleti has had only one boss, while Real has gone through eight.

This Spider destroys nets - Julian Alvarez is too good for Atletico Madrid

Cholo's spider - Alvarez himself has been a subplot. In Mallorca, he muttered “always me” after another substitution, but answered with a hat trick against Rayo. Vinicius has lived a similar drama: anger spilling over in the form of bottles thrown and arms raised, before redeeming himself with one of the goals of the season versus Levante.

Both arrive at the derby with something to prove—and with Mbappe stealing the show regardless. The Frenchman is on fire: goals in five of six matches (seven in total), plus two more chalked off in Mallorca for the narrowest offsides. His strike against Levante was pure confidence and physical dominance—a move straight out of Ronaldo Nazario’s repertoire.

As for the coaches, this is only the third official duel between Simeone and Xabi. Leverkusen, under Alonso, earned a draw in 2022 and pushed Atleti close again last January despite being a man down. Now, Xabi stands on Los Blancos' sideline, commanding the biggest ship in the game. His success so far? Total buy-in.

Every fit player has featured, with Endrick the lone exception. The “rock and roll” Xabi promised hasn’t fully kicked in, but glimpses came against Real Sociedad before Huijsen’s red card, and across 90 electric minutes in Barcelona. The missing piece is Jude Bellingham, still being eased in. That luxury headache will arrive after tonight.

It’s the first real blockbuster of the season. This time, the rock and roll feels ready to kick in.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 7

Friday

Girona - Espanyol 0-0

Saturday

17.15: (3.15) Atl.Madrid (3.50) Real Madrid (2.35)

19.30: (2.40) Mallorca (3.10) Alaves (3.20)

22.00: (2.10) Villareal (3.40) Ath.Bilbao (3.60)

Sunday

15.00: (2.15) Rayo Vallecano (3.45) Sevilla (3.70)

17.15: (2.85) Elche (3.15) Celta (2.60)

19.30: (1.28) Barcelona (6.00) Sociedad (9.50)

22.00: (1.80) Betis (3.75) Osasuna (4.85)

Monday

22.00: (1.70) Valencia (3.60) Oviedo (5.40)

***odds are subject to change***