Diego Simeone has made his feelings about Jose Mourinho clear ahead of a Madrid Derby packed with history, pressure and plenty of familiar faces.
The Atlético Madrid boss will come up against Mourinho again on Sunday as his side take on Real Madrid in the latest chapter of one of football’s biggest fixtures.
It will be the first meeting between the two coaches since 2014, when Atlético and Mourinho’s Chelsea crossed paths in the Champions League semi-finals.
Atlético eliminated Chelsea that year, while the last Madrid Derby between Simeone and Mourinho came in 2013, when Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory.
Despite the history between the pair, Simeone insists he is not interested in looking too far into the past.
Instead, the Argentine coach focused on the respect he has always had for Mourinho and the opportunity to compete against him once again.
“I’m not one to dwell on [things from] many years ago,” Simeone said in a news conference on Saturday when asked about his memories of facing the Portuguese coach.
“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.”
The stakes are already high.
Mourinho’s Real Madrid sit two points above Atlético after six LaLiga matches, although both Madrid clubs are chasing early leaders Barcelona.
That makes Sunday’s derby even more significant, particularly for an Atlético side that has endured a difficult start in front of goal.
Julián Álvarez has barely featured after his reported attempt to join Barcelona during the summer, while Alexander Sorloth is currently injured.
However, Jonathan David has provided a boost after scoring in each of his last two appearances.
Álvarez could also return to the spotlight after Simeone confirmed he will be part of the squad for the derby.
“He’ll be with us,” Simeone said on Saturday, when asked if Álvarez could feature in the derby. “Later we’ll decide whether he starts, or comes on in the second half.”
Real Madrid arrive with strong momentum of their own.
Mourinho’s side have suffered just one defeat this season, losing away at Real Betis, before responding with a 3-2 victory at Elche on Tuesday.
Simeone knows exactly where the biggest danger lies.
He believes Real are particularly dangerous when they win the ball back and immediately unleash their attacking stars.
“They’re better in transition than us,” Simeone said, praising Mourinho’s side. “When there’s a loss of possession, they look for [Kylian] Mbappé 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.”
That warning could shape Atlético’s approach at the Metropolitano.
With Mbappé and Vinicius capable of turning defensive mistakes into devastating attacks, Simeone knows his players cannot afford to lose concentration in dangerous areas.
Atlético have also strengthened significantly during the summer, bringing in Jonathan David, Cristian Romero, Alex Grimaldo and Kang-in Lee.
For those new arrivals, Sunday will provide their first taste of the pressure that comes with a Madrid Derby.
Simeone, however, believes composure will be crucial.
“I’m not one for giving advice,” Simeone said, when asked how they would fare in the derby. “It’s normal for new players to feel pressure, with the excitement a game like this generates, but they need to be calm. Football is about composure.”
With Mourinho back on the opposite touchline and the Madrid rivalry once again taking centre stage, Simeone knows his team must combine discipline, composure and aggression.
The respect between the two coaches may be clear, but once the derby kicks off, there will be little room for sentiment.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
