Mourinho and Simeone renew rivalry in Madrid derby after more than a decade
Mourinho and Simeone set to clash in Madrid derby after more than a decade
When Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, José Mourinho and Diego Simeone will renew a rivalry that has not been seen since 2014, according to BBC Sport.
What happened
The two managers last met when Mourinho was in charge of Chelsea and Simeone’s Atletico eliminated the English side from the Champions League at Stamford Bridge in 2014, as reported by BBC Sport.
Earlier meetings
Their rivalry is not new to the capital. Two years before that Champions League tie, Simeone’s Atletico welcomed Mourinho to the Vicente Calderón Stadium during Mourinho’s first spell as Real Madrid boss, a match that ended in a 4‐1 win for the Portuguese manager, per BBC Sport.
Recent form and league stakes
Real Madrid enter the derby second in La Liga with 15 points from six games, level with Real Betis, while Atletico sit fourth on 13 points, according to BBC Sport. Barcelona lead the table on 21 points, meaning a loss would leave Mourinho’s side six points behind after the first seven matches, as noted by BBC Sport.
Atletico have responded to recent defeats by Athletic Club and Liverpool with consecutive victories, beating Real Sociedad 3‐0 and then Osasuna 4‐0, per BBC Sport.
Managerial records
Mourinho holds three wins and a draw from their six previous meetings, while Simeone’s side ended a 14‐year wait for a derby triumph with the 2013 Copa del Rey victory, both figures supplied by BBC Sport.
Reaction
“This is a derby,” Mourinho said, adding that “derbies are always something more special because of the history, the culture of the games and the passion of the fans.” He tempered the sentiment with a pragmatic note: “But obviously three points is most important thing,” according to BBC Sport.
Why it matters
The clash pits two of Europe’s most celebrated tacticians against each other in a city where football rivalries run deep. With the league title already shaping up and both clubs seeking to close the gap on Barcelona, the outcome could influence the balance of power in Spanish football for the rest of the season, as highlighted by BBC Sport.
Frequently asked questions
When is the derby taking place? The match is scheduled for Sunday at the Metropolitano Stadium, per BBC Sport.
What was the last time Mourinho and Simeone faced each other? Their most recent encounter was in 2014 when Mourinho’s Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico, according to BBC Sport.
How do the teams stand in the league before the match? Real Madrid sit second with 15 points, Atletico are fourth with 13 points, and Barcelona lead with 21 points, as reported by BBC Sport.
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