Koke chases Sergio Ramos record in crunch Madrid derby | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid captain Koke will match his old rival Sergio Ramos as he leads Diego Simeone’s team into derby battle today.

The veteran midfielder is on course to retain his starting spot, after being withdrawn on 56 minutes in the midweek La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano.

The 33-year-old remains vital for Simeone, after agreeing a contract extension at the end of last season, to remain in place for the 2025/26 campaign.

Simeone and the club remain open minded over another renewal with the final call set to lie with their long standing skipper.

As Koke takes to the field for a 16:15 local time KO at the Estadio Metropolitano, he will draw level with Ramos on 43 competitive derby appearances, pulling ahead of Real Madrid icons Paco Gento and Manolo Sanchis.

A start for Koke will come amongst changes from Simeone as the Argentinian is rumoured to be considering a switch in formation.

That could include wing back duo Nahuel Molna and Javi Galan dropped to the bench, a back four reinstated, and Giuliano Simeone and Nico Gonzalez brought into the wide midfield spots.

Image via Marca

Koke will be hoping to overtake Ramos in the reverse game in 2026 and he could step away next summer as the outright leader.

However, no player now the unpredictability of a Madrid derby, with Koke enjoying high and lows down the years against Los Blancos.

From 42 career derby matches (41 with Simeone), he has only lost 16 (with 12 wins), and the recent record is strong at home.

Despite their current form struggles, Simeone has a solid recent record in derbies, with the Argentinian coach drawing both La Liga meetings 1-1 last season.

The hosts won 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League clash in March, but lost on penalties, and they have lost just one of the last six league derbies played at the Estado Metropolitano.