Diego Simeone will face Jose Mourinho when Atletico play Real in Sunday’s Madrid derby, the first meeting of the two coaches since 2014.
Mourinho’s Real have made the better start to the league season and sit two points above Atletico after six matches. Both Madrid clubs are chasing Barcelona, who lead the early La Liga standings.
Simeone has faced Mourinho several times during his career, including the 2014 Champions League semi-final when Atletico eliminated Chelsea. Their last Madrid derby came a year earlier, when Mourinho’s Real won 2-1.
The Atletico manager dismissed any thought to their previous encounters.
“I’m not one to dwell on [things from] many years ago,” Simeone said. “I have huge respect for Mourinho, I’ve been an admirer of his for a long time, I’ve followed him and watched him.
“He knows the regard I have for him. Hopefully we can compete tomorrow as we have done when we’ve faced him.”
It’s derby weekend 🤩 pic.twitter.com/GXvlInTpAz
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 19, 2026
Mourinho’s side have lost once in the league, at Real Betis, but bounced back by beating Rayo Vallecano 4-1 and Elche 3-2 on Wednesday. Simeone expects them to be particularly dangerous immediately Atletico lose possession.
“They’re better in transition than us,” Simeone said. “When there’s a loss of possession, they look for [Kylian] Mbappe and Vinicius [Junior], they play to that strength. We have to read the game well, and not allow any turnovers, so we don’t allow them to use those transitions.”
Atletico have had fewer attacking options available in the opening weeks of the campaign. Julian Alvarez has made only one start, against Liverpool on 9 September, while Alexander Sorloth is injured. New signing Jonathan David, however, has scored in each of his last two appearances.
Simeone confirmed that Alvarez would be part of the derby squad, although it’s not clear if he will start.
“He’ll be with us,” Simeone said. “Later we’ll decide whether he starts, or comes on in the second half.”
