Overview
- The fixture is scheduled for Sunday at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano and is Real Madrid’s final match before the international break.
- José Mourinho praised his squad’s physical and mental strength and named a matchday group that again excludes Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy.
- Public and media attention centres on whether Mourinho will bench Vinícius Júnior in favour of new signing Yan Diomande because of Vinícius’s recent dip in form.
- Diego Simeone urged Atletico’s many new signings to stay calm as the club integrates heavy summer investment that included Cristian Romero, Morten Hjulmand and Jonathan David.
- Kylian Mbappé sits one goal or assist short of 500 club goal contributions, and the derby outcome could influence momentum in the early La Liga table where Real sit second and Atletico fourth.