Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid | La Liga MD 29 | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will lock horns on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu in what will be their final game before the first international break of 2026.

The teams have faced off against one another twice before this season, and both games were memorable in their own ways.

When they locked horns in La Liga early in the season, Los Rojiblancos took a massive 5-2 win against Real Madrid and made a massive statement. In the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, however, it was Los Blancos who won 2-1.

Both games so far this season were under the management of Xabi Alonso, and tomorrow, it will be Alvaro Arbeloa’s chance to have a go at the local rivals in a crucial game.

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

A season-defining injury

There are not many injuries that could be more damning to Real Madrid’s campaign than that of Thibaut Courtois, but the Belgian is out of action now and at a terrible point in the season.

Just before the business end of the campaign begins, the goalkeeper has been hit with a six-week layoff period to recover and will be unavailable for Real Madrid. That begins with tomorrow’s derby against Atletico Madrid.

Courtois’ importance in Real Madrid’s dynamics cannot be understated, especially when one considers how his saves, at times, are as important and regular as goals at the other end of the field.

To have him out not only for the derby but the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League and possibly even the semifinals, needless to say, could prove to be a season-defining blow.

Andriy Lunin steps in as an efficient backup and has done well whenever called upon by various managers over the years at Real Madrid. Given that he has been out of action for long, however, there is always an element of doubt over his ability to step in.

If Lunin can display the form he showed the last time Courtois had a major injury, Real Madrid are in safe hands. If he is anywhere below that standard, however, trouble could be brewing.

Game-changer returns

Back and ready to start. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

While one of Real Madrid’s stalwarts steps out of the field through injury, another makes his return to the field from a major injury. Kylian Mbappe is that player.

The Frenchman was out of action for close to a month after Real Madrid’s defeat to Osasuna and only made his return off the bench against Manchester City in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 midweek.

Arbeloa did, however, confirm that Mbappe is back to 100%, and as such, he is expected to be a starter against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night.

Brahim Diaz started alongside Vinicius Jr. in Mbappe’s absence and did well as a supporting forward, creating mayhem in opposition boxes and aiding in the link-up play.

Mbappe’s return, however, will force the manager to overlook all of Diaz’s contributions and reinstate the Frenchman, especially given his goalscoring form this season.

While it does come as a major boost for Real Madrid, the manager and medical staff will ensure to keep a keen eye on the player’s condition in the coming games as well to ascertain that he is truly past his knee issues.

After all, an aggravation or relapse at this stage would be devastating for Real Madrid and the player’s World Cup campaign.

A first for Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa’s tenure as Real Madrid manager has not been overly flowery so far, and the results are quite concerning if one takes a distant glance.

The team’s performance has improved in recent weeks including the two big wins over Manchester City. Besides that, however, they have been largely inconsistent especially on the big nights.

Over the years as the coach of Real Madrid’s youth and reserve teams, Arbeloa has overseen many Madrid derbies from the bench. Tomorrow, however, will be the first time he does so for the senior team, and it is clear that the pressure will be on him.

Someone who engaged in multiple derby clashes himself as a player for the club, Arbeloa knows exactly what a win in such a game means for the dressing room, the fanbase, and the administration.

Arbeloa has never faced off against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid as the manager of the first team, and tomorrow will thus be his first big Spanish test. A lot of eyes will be on the team’s performance and his management on the night.