Atletico Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - La Liga | OneFootball

It's been almost a decade since Atletico Madrid prevailed at the Santiago Bernabeu, but three points on Saturday would be seismic in the context of the La Liga title race.

Atleti once again have a talent deficit to make up on the field, but hasn't that almost always been the case? Diego Simeone's side know exactly what they are, and they're a huge threat to Los Blancos' crown having recovered impressively from a 1-0 defeat at Leganes last month.

Saturday's visitors complement trademark defensive stubbornness with thrilling transition work, and Simeone will almost have his full cohort of players available for the trip across the capital.

Here's how Atletico could line up for Saturday night's mammoth Madrid Derby.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2)

Antoine Griezmann was the only goalscorer the last time Atleti won at the Bernabeu / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

GK: Jan Oblak - Oblak was the man between the sticks the last time Atleti won in Los Blancos territory, and he'll likely need to produce something special to shut the hosts out on Saturday despite having the league's best defence ahead of him.

RB: Marcos Llorente - Simeone's utility man has been in and out of the starting XI this season, but he'll likely be the man trusted to tame Vinicius Junior and company.

CB: Jose Gimenez - The vastly experienced defender was also in the team nine years ago and Gimenez will be aiming to inspire a resolute Atleti backline.

CB: Clement Lenglet - Robin Le Normand misses out through suspension, so Lenglet, who filled in plenty while the Spaniard was out with a head injury, will be starting alongside Gimenez in the derby.

LB: Samuel Lino - Lino has primarily played further forward this season, but we could see Simeone opt for a bolder ploy down the left by deploying the attack-minded Lino, who can play in a back four but is primarily a wing-back, behind a shuttling wide midfielder.

RM: Giuliano Simeone - El Cholo's son has been one of the revelations of 2024/25, and he heads into the derby off the back of scoring a brace in Atleti's 5-0 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

CM: Rodrigo De Paul - De Paul continues to prove that he's much more than Lionel Messi's bodyguard. The Argentine is a star in his own right.

CM: Pablo Barrios - The burgeoning Spanish midfielder has usurped the Atleti stalwarts in the middle of the park, but there are a few doubts over his status for Saturday. Barrios and De Paul should take advantage of an unorganised Madrid counter-press and set the visitors on their way in transition.

LM: Conor Gallagher - Some are suggesting it's a case of Lino or Gallagher, but why not both? Gallagher has settled in nicely at Atletico after joining in the summer and has garnered the trust of his demanding manager.

ST: Antoine Griezmann - Griezmann was the game's only goalscorer the last time Atleti won at the Bernabeu - of course he was. The dazzling French forwards has faced Madrid more than any other club in his career (42 times) and scored 11 goals.

ST: Julian Alvarez - After a brief acclimatisation period, Alvarez has swiftly set about paying off the monster fee Atletico splashed to prise him away from Manchester City. The Argentine's output hasn't yet set the world alight, but he's been excellent over the past couple of months.