The two bitter rivals meet again in round-of-16 match in the Copa del Rey will come less than a week after Madrid beat Atletico 5-3 in extra time in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Madrid eliminated Atletico in the quarterfinals of the Copa last season, winning 3-1 in extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Real have picked up their 13th Spanish Super Cup title since last week’s meeting and are now on a seven-game winning run with a 21-game unbeaten streak forming.
That said, their last loss came against Atletico back in September and Real have only won once from their last five visits to their rivals’ den.
Atletico has been especially tough when playing at its Metropolitano Stadium, where it hasn’t lost in 24 consecutive games in all competitions, since a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in January 2023. It won 22 home games since then, with both draws coming against Getafe in the Spanish league.
Atletico Madrid, aiming for LaLiga glory, will be facing the opponents who defeated them in the Spanish Super Cup. Struggling with defensive issues, they aim to secure a top-four finish.
On the other side, Real Madrid, crowned Spanish Super Cup champions, are thriving domestically. With just one loss in 28 appearances, they are in top form and aim for another victory after a recent 5-3 win against Atletico. Watch out for a high-stakes clash between these two teams.
Match facts-
The last five Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid matches all ended with both teams scoring.
Real Madrid won 5-3 against Atletico in last week’s Super Cup semi-final.
Real Madrid is the Copa’s defending champion, while Atletico Madrid hasn’t won the competition since 2013.
Head-to-head-
Matches: 173
Atletico Madrid: 41
Real Madrid: 91
Draws: 41
Team news & squads-
Atletico Madrid: Memphis Depay is likely to only make the bench here while Reinildo is at the Africa Cup of Nations and Vitolo as well as Thomas Lemar are out. Pablo Barrios will need a late check but Saul Niguez should start alongside Koke and Rodrigo de Paul.
Atletico Madrid Starting XI: Oblak, Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann.
Real Madrid: Aurelien Tchouameni could be a doubt to start while Lucas Vazquez is out and joins Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba in the treatment room. Eduardo Camavinga is likely to start while Ancelotti has already confirmed that goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will start instead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Real Madrid Starting XI: Lunin, Carvajal, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr.
