Three talking points ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid | Spanish Super Cup | OneFootball

The new format of the Spanish Super Cup has been met with some criticism, especially given the change in venue and its scheduling overseas. It has, however, concurrently improved the stakes and value of the trophy.

Now a four-team tournament, the Spanish Super Cup is more coveted than it was before and often serves as a platform to set the stage for the second half of the season.

Real Madrid enter the event after one of their best showings of the year – a 5-1 win over Real Betis at home. Their first opponent in Saudi Arabia, however, is Atletico Madrid and the derby winner will play the potential final against Barcelona.

For Real Madrid, a lot more than mere prestige rides on the event and its result and it is clear that the dressing room is motivated to bring the silverware home.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid.

Revenge on the cards?

Real Madrid’s situation was drastically different when the last Madrid derby came around, so much so that the men in white were flying back at that point in time.

The two Spanish capital-based sides faced off on Matchday 7 of La Liga, and Xabi Alonso’s side entered the game as overwhelming favourites who were seemingly unstoppable.

Their first six league games, to that point, all ended in wins with the team scoring 14 goals and conceding just three goals. Even their long UEFA Champions League game had been won by a 2-1 margin.

Yet, Atletico Madrid tore through them with ease and sent them humiliated with a 5-2 margin. While the margin was embarrassing enough, the fact that they came back from being 2-1 down only made matters worse.

As Real Madrid prepare for the clash tomorrow, it is inevitable that the feeling of revenge crosses their minds. After all, Los Rojiblancos inflicted them with their first defeat of the season and this is their chance to set things straight.

Truth be told, Los Blancos do need that burning desire to take revenge in them tomorrow night if they are to take apart Atletico Madrid. After all, conviction is what has been missing in their displays over the past month.

Vinicius must step up

Time to step up. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The biggest news ahead of Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup curtain-raiser is the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who has not recovered from the setback he suffered last week.

Real Madrid faced off against Real Betis at the weekend without their talisman and it was young Gonzalo Garcia who took control and delivered a stunning hat-trick to send the team to three points.

While all signs do point to him starting once more tomorrow, it is only justified that Vinicius Jr. takes up more responsibility as a seasoned campaigner for the club. 

The Brazilian has indeed been better than he was last season, but he is nowhere close to his best. In fact, he has been whistled at by the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu for two straight games and it is high time he takes up responsibility.

It is astonishing that the winger has not scored in 18 games for club and country and that his last goal for Real Madrid came back in the first week of October.

Mbappe’s stunning form led fans to turn a blind eye to Vinicius’ goal drought, but with the striker now unavailable, the spotlight will shine on the Brazilian. At this point, he simply must step up and take on the plan Diego Simeone has to stop him.

Much-needed silverware

A lot has been said about Xabi Alonso’s managerial job and how it depends on the Spanish Super Cup, but Real Madrid’s need for silverware extends far beyond just salvaging his career.

Last season was a rare one for the men in white and they ended the season with no title of significance. They lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, the Copa del Rey race to the same team, and even La Liga to Hansi Flick’s men.

The Spanish Super Cup this time, as always, presents them with a chance to bag silverware in the first month of 2026, and the effect it can have on the dressing room and their morale is massive.

While it is true that winning will buy Alonso and his project more time, it will also instill a sense of self-belief in the young squad and prove to them that they are serious candidates on all fronts.

Most importantly, it will bring a sense of unity and harmony, both in the dressing room and between the players and the coach – something Real Madrid desperately needs at this point in time.

A win on Thursday will place them within 90 minutes of the title and with a morale-lifting derby victory. The stakes could not be higher, and the reward sweeter.