Madrid derby: Early test between the capital's giants in the Spanish league

Kuwait City, September 19 (KUNA) -- The eyes of football fans are turning tomorrow, Sunday, to the Metropolitano Stadium, where Atletico Madrid will host their rivals Real Madrid in the seventh round of the Spanish league, in the first capital derby of the season between two teams separated by just two points.

Real Madrid sits second in the overall standings with 15 points from six matches, three points behind leaders Barcelona. Atletico Madrid, with 13 points, occupies fourth place, trailing third-placed Real Betis on goal difference.

Real have scored 17 goals and conceded six since the start of the campaign, which began under new Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho with victories over Espanyol, Real Sociedad, and Malaga, followed by a loss to Real Betis, before rebounding with wins against Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

Offensively, the spotlight falls on French star Kylian Mbappe, who tops Real’s scoring charts in the league with seven goals, three ahead of British midfielder Jude Bellingham and two ahead of Carlos Asensio, who has netted twice.

For their part, Atletico have scored 14 goals and conceded six, but have endured a more fluctuating start to the season. After beating Malaga and drawing with Villarreal, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, before responding with three consecutive victories against Sevilla, Real Sociedad, and finally Osasuna, whom they beat 4-0 in the previous round.

Alex Baena is Atletico’s top scorer in the league with four goals, while Canadian David Jonathan represents a new attacking addition. Meanwhile, the participation of Argentine Julian Alvarez remains uncertain after he was injured in the Champions League match against Liverpool and trained only partially with his teammates on Friday.

Last season’s two league derbies ended with different results: Atletico thrashed Real Madrid 5-2 at home in front of their fans, but the Blancos replied with a 3-2 victory at the Bernabeu in the return leg.

Real finished as runners-up last season with 86 points, compared to Atletico’s 69 points, which secured fourth place. Real scored 77 goals and conceded 35, while Atletico netted 62 and conceded 44. Barcelona claimed the title with 94 points.

The Madrid derby is one of the most important, frequent, and thrilling fixtures in Spanish football. The two sides have met 305 times in all competitions since February 1904, with Real winning 156 matches, Atletico 76, and 73 ending in draws.

In the Spanish league alone, the neighbors have faced each other 178 times since February 1929. Real has won 92 matches, Atletico 42, and they have drawn 44 times. Real holds the advantage in goals scored, 307 to 233 for the Rojiblancos.

Although the match comes early in the season, it carries special significance as a test of both teams’ positions in the title race. It takes place before the international break, scheduled from September 21 to October 6, giving the result added psychological importance before players depart for their national teams. (End) H.N. / T.M.A.