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On Thursday, January 8, 2026, two of Spain’s fiercest rivals met in a high-stakes Spanish Super Cup semi-final as Real Madrid hosted Atlético Madrid in a derby clash that promised intensity, passion, and tactical drama. The fixture — one of the most eagerly anticipated Derbi Madrileño encounters of the season — took place at the Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City, with referee Mateo Busquets officiating the contest.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have one of Spanish football’s most compelling rivalries, shaped by dramatic encounters in both La Liga and cup competitions over decades. This clash in the Super Cup semi-final added further weight to their storied rivalry, offering both sides a chance to reach a domestic final and compete for silverware early in 2026.
Real Madrid approached the match under head coach Xabi Alonso, known for blending tactical discipline with attacking fluidity. Despite intermittent struggles in La Liga, Los Blancos always posed a threat with stars capable of moments of brilliance.
Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, are traditional derby warriors — compact, organized defensively, and lethal on transition. Simeone’s men have historically frustrated their city rivals with disciplined performances.
Both teams would look to impose their identity early — Real aiming to control possession and dictate tempo, and Atlético seeking to disrupt rhythm and strike on the counter.
From the FotMob preview, the predicted lineups suggested both sides bringing strong XI’s into battle, with Real Madrid lining up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 and Atlético opting for a solid 4-4-2 shape. Fit decisions and player availability play a key role in context — especially for Madrid, who have had notable fitness concerns during the season.
Recent Madrid derbies have underlined the fine margins between these two sides:
In La Liga earlier in the 2024-25 season, Real Madrid and Atlético shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw, with Mbappé canceling out a penalty from Julián Álvarez.
Earlier in the season, Atlético stunned Real with a 5–2 victory, showcasing Simeone’s side at its most ruthless.
In the Champions League Round of 16 earlier that campaign, Real edged through on penalties after two legs of intense tactical warfare.
These recent results made the Super Cup meeting even more intriguing — neither side held psychological dominance, and every Madrid derby felt fiercely contested.
Although we do not have official published stats from FotMob for this specific Super Cup game, the stage and context suggest an intense battle where:
Real Madrid would push to control midfield and utilize creative talents to unlock a disciplined Atlético back-line;
Atlético, as always under Simeone, would remain compact and look to hit Real on the break or from set pieces;
Individual duels — particularly in midfield and on the wings — would likely decide the momentum of the tie.
Beyond the immediate consequence of reaching a cup final, this derby was also about pride. Madrid derbies carry emotional weight — bragging rights in the city, historical rivalry, and the opportunity to set a tone for the rest of the season. For a Real Madrid side determined to win silverware and for an Atlético squad eager to prove their credentials against bigger rivals, this was about more than just a place in the Super Cup final — it was about momentum, morale, and identity.
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