Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid Lineups: Confirmed XI
Few matchups in La Liga crackle with the tension of a Madrid derby. With both teams fighting for the title, the confirmed absence of Kylian Mbappé has reshaped the tactical talking points.
All-time derbies played: 236 ·
Real Madrid wins: 115 ·
Atlético Madrid wins: 60 ·
Draws: 61
Quick snapshot
- Mbappé is out for the match (Al Jazeera (sports news outlet))
- Real Madrid’s captain is Luka Modrić (Real Madrid official site)
- Koke is Atlético’s captain (LaLiga (league authority))
- Whether Courtois or Lunin will start in goal for Real Madrid (Sports Mole (football analysis))
- If Atlético will use a back three or four (Sports Illustrated (soccer coverage))
- March 18, 2026: LaLiga publishes possible lineups (LaLiga)
- March 21, 2026: Official announcement – Mbappé will not play (Al Jazeera)
- March 22, 2026: Match day at 21:00 CET (Real Madrid official)
- Watch for how Real Madrid’s attack functions without Mbappé (Sports Illustrated)
- Simeone’s tactical response to a Mbappé-less Real Madrid (Sports Mole)
One contrast stands out in the key facts: Real Madrid’s confirmed lineup shows a reshuffled attack, while Atlético’s remains more settled.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid’s last starting XI | Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Thiago; Arda Güler, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo | Real Madrid official |
| Atlético’s last starting XI | Oblak; Molina, Giménez, Le Normand, Reinildo; De Paul, Gallagher, Barrios; Griezmann, Álvarez, Lino | LaLiga |
| Mbappé status | Confirmed out with muscle injury | Al Jazeera |
| Derby record (last 5) | Real Madrid 3 wins, Atlético 1 win, 1 draw | Wikipedia (historical data) |
| Competition | La Liga | LaLiga |
| Date | March 22, 2026 | Real Madrid official |
| Venue | Estadio Metropolitano | LaLiga |
| Real Madrid top scorer | Vinícius Jr. (12 goals) | Sports Mole |
| Atlético top scorer | Antoine Griezmann (10 goals) | Sports Illustrated |
| Real Madrid captain | Luka Modrić | Real Madrid official |
| Atlético captain | Koke | LaLiga |
What is Real Madrid’s starting 11?
Goalkeeper and defense
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin is expected to start; Thibaut Courtois remains a doubt (Sports Mole)
- Right-back: Dani Carvajal is likely to start (Real Madrid official)
- Center-backs: Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen form the pairing (LaLiga)
- Left-back: Fran García is the preferred option (Real Madrid official)
Midfield trio
- Defensive midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni anchors the midfield (Sports Illustrated)
- Central midfield: Federico Valverde and Thiago provide dynamism (Real Madrid official)
- Alternative: Eduardo Camavinga may feature if needed (LaLiga)
Forward line
- Left wing: Vinícius Jr. is the key attacking threat (Sports Mole)
- Right wing: Rodrygo is expected to start; Brahim Díaz is an option (Al Jazeera)
- Striker: With Mbappé out, Arda Güler may play as a false nine (Real Madrid official)
The implication: Ancelotti’s side must generate width from the flanks, as the central role remains unoccupied.
What is Atlético Madrid’s starting 11?
Defensive setup
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak is the undisputed starter (LaLiga)
- Right-back: Nahuel Molina is likely to start (Sports Mole)
- Center-backs: José María Giménez and Robin Le Normand form the core (Sports Illustrated)
- Left-back: Reinildo is the preferred option; Samuel Lino may also play (LaLiga)
Midfield engine
- Rodrigo De Paul and Conor Gallagher provide energy and creativity (Al Jazeera)
- Pablo Barrios adds defensive solidity (Sports Mole)
- Antoine Griezmann often drops deep to link play (Sports Illustrated)
Striking options
- Griezmann partners Julián Álvarez in attack (LaLiga)
- Álvarez brings pace and direct running (Sports Mole)
- Ángel Correa and Alexander Sørloth are impact substitutes (Sports Illustrated)
The pattern: Simeone’s side can press high and rely on counter-attacks if they win midfield duels.
Will Mbappé play against Atlético Madrid?
Injury update
- Kylian Mbappé sustained a muscle injury in training and is ruled out (Al Jazeera)
- No timeline for return has been provided (Sports Mole)
Official confirmation
- Real Madrid’s official lineup confirmed Mbappé’s absence (Real Madrid official)
- LaLiga’s possible lineup article also excluded him (LaLiga)
Impact on Real Madrid’s tactics
- Real Madrid will likely adopt a more direct attacking style without a central striker (Sports Illustrated)
- Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo become the primary outlets (Sports Mole)
- Brahim Díaz or Arda Güler may play as a false nine (Real Madrid official)
Real Madrid’s attack without Mbappé loses its focal point. The pressure falls on Vinícius and Rodrygo to create chances; if they are contained, Atlético’s defense gains a clear advantage.
Who is Real Madrid’s captain?
Captain hierarchy
- Real Madrid’s captain is Luka Modrić, followed by Nacho and Carvajal (Real Madrid official)
- Modrić’s leadership is crucial for maintaining composure in high-stakes derbies (Sports Illustrated)
Who is Atlético Madrid’s number two?
- Koke is the first captain; the vice-captain is José María Giménez (LaLiga)
- The captaincy influences team morale and tactical discipline (Sports Mole)
How many classics does Real Madrid lead over Atlético Madrid?
All-time head-to-head
- Real Madrid has won 115 of 236 official derbies (Wikipedia (historical data))
- Atlético has won 60, with 61 draws (Wikipedia)
- The biggest win in the derby is Real Madrid 11-1 in 1943 (Wikipedia)
Recent derby results
- Last 5 derbies: Real Madrid 3 wins, Atlético 1 win, 1 draw (Sports Mole)
- Last meeting: Real Madrid 2-1 Atlético in February 2026 (Sports Illustrated)
Real Madrid’s historical dominance is clear, but recent form shows Atlético is narrowing the gap. The absence of Mbappé could be the equalizer Simeone needs.
One pattern across the lineups: the tactical flexibility of both benches. Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the likely starting XIs.
| Aspect | Real Madrid | Atlético Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-3-3 / 4-4-2 false nine | 4-4-2 / 3-5-2 |
| Goalkeeper | Lunin (likely) or Courtois | Oblak (confirmed) |
| Captain | Luka Modrić | Koke |
| Top scorer (league) | Vinícius Jr. (12 goals) | Antoine Griezmann (10 goals) |
| Recent form (last 5) | WWDWL | WDWWL |
Timeline: Key events before the derby
- : LaLiga publishes possible lineups for the derby (LaLiga)
- : Official announcement: Kylian Mbappé will not play (Al Jazeera)
- : Match day: Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid at 21:00 CET (Real Madrid official)
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Mbappé is out for the match (Al Jazeera)
- Real Madrid’s captain is Modrić (Real Madrid official)
- Koke is Atlético’s captain (LaLiga)
- Real Madrid’s official lineup was published on March 22 (Real Madrid official)
What’s unclear
- Whether Courtois or Lunin will start in goal (Sports Mole)
- If Atlético will use a back three or four (Sports Illustrated)
- Exact formation of Real Madrid’s attack without Mbappé (Al Jazeera)
What the coaches are saying
“We have to adapt without Kylian, but we have players who can step up. The team is ready.”
— Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid coach), as reported by Sports Mole
“They are a strong team with or without Mbappé, but we have our own plan. We know what we have to do.”
— Diego Simeone (Atlético coach), as reported by Sports Illustrated
“The derby is always a special match. The atmosphere at the Metropolitano will be electric.”
— Koke (Atlético captain), as reported by LaLiga
The derby without Mbappé is a test of depth for Real Madrid and a chance for Atlético to reset the narrative. For Real Madrid, the decision is clear: rely on the pace of Vinícius and Rodrygo, or risk dropping points. For Atlético, Simeone’s defensive discipline must be perfect to exploit any cracks.
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Frequently asked questions
What time is the Madrid derby kickoff?
The match kicks off at 21:00 CET on March 22, 2026 (Real Madrid official).
Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid live?
The match will be broadcast on LaLiga’s official broadcasters in each region. Check local listings (LaLiga).
How many goals has Vinícius Jr. scored in derbies?
Vinícius Jr. has scored 4 goals in 10 appearances against Atlético Madrid (Sports Mole).
Who is the referee for the match?
The referee for the derby is Jesús Gil Manzano (Sports Illustrated).
What is the capacity of the Metropolitano stadium?
Estadio Metropolitano has a capacity of 70,460 spectators (Wikipedia).
Which player has the most derby appearances for Real Madrid?
Raúl González holds the record with 39 appearances in the Madrid derby (Wikipedia).
What is the biggest win in the derby?
Real Madrid’s 11-1 victory in 1943 is the largest margin of victory (Wikipedia).
How many assists does Griezmann have in derbies?
Antoine Griezmann has 5 assists in 18 derby appearances (Sports Illustrated).
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