Simeone calls on new faces to be calm in El Derbi
Diego Simeone has called for his new Atletico Madrid players experiencing the Madrid derby for the first time to remain calm under the pressure of the fabled fixture.
Atletico welcomes Madrid to Estadio Metropolitano on Monday (AEST), with just two points and two places separating the teams ahead of an extended international break.
Atleti signed five players ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign, with Morten Hjulmand, Kang-in Lee, Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David all arriving, the latter joining from Juventus on loan.
When asked if he had any advice for his new players on what to expect in the Madrid derby, Simeone said: "I'm not one to give advice. Yes, to transmit experiences.
"The pressure, the excitement generated by a match like tomorrow's at the Metropolitano with our people is normal. Calm, above all, calm.
"There is a word that is security. If you are confident in what you do, it can go wrong or bad, but it is the way.
"The characteristics of the two teams, they have a more powerful transition than ours. In the event of any loss of the ball, they look for that option with [Kylian] Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
"On our side, try not to have losses of possession, which is when they have shown they are the best."
Simeone's side has won back-to-back LaLiga games against Real Sociedad and Osasuna after defeats to Atheltic Club and Liverpool, the latter in the UEFA Champions League.
Atleti lost its previous LaLiga encounter against Madrid 3-2 on the road in March, after not losing any of its previous six meetings with its rival.
It has only suffered two or more consecutive defeats against Madrid in the competition under Simeone on two occasions, the most recent coming in 2020, when it lost twice.
The match will also see Simeone reunited with Mourinho, with the Madrid boss taking 15 points from his first six games in LaLiga since returning to the Spanish capital.
Mourinho has also won all six of his LaLiga matches against Atletico, making him the only manager in the competition's history to win each of his first six Madrid derbies, on either side of the divide.
"Talking about so many years ago doesn't suit me. I have great respect for Mourinho," Simeone said of facing Mourinho again.
"I am an admirer of his, he knows how much I appreciate him. Hopefully we can compete as we have done when we have had to face each other."
Simeone was also asked about the availability of Julian Alvarez, who has missed Atletico's past two matches through injury.
"He will accompany us. Then we'll decide if he starts from the start or comes off during the game," Simeone said of Alvarez's fitness.
