Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: The Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid derby is one of the most important games in Spanish soccer and one of the most important rivalries in the world, and it is available live on ESPN+ in the United States.
When does the game begin?
Their LaLiga match begins on Saturday, February 25 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
The game is broadcast live on ESPN+ in the United States, with coverage beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
Cannot view live? This match will be available on ESPN+ and ESPN.com for replay and complete highlights.
What is at stake?
Saturday’s match is extremely tense, and both teams have much to gain from a victory. Real Madrid is in second place in LaLiga, eight points behind league-leading Barcelona with 16 games remaining. A victory over their rivals could propel them back into contention and put pressure on the Catalan side prior to the March 19 Clasico.
As for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, they must build momentum in order to maintain their hold on a top-four position and the promise of Champions League football next season. Atleti, currently in fourth place after four wins and a draw in their last five matches, has a four-point cushion over the chasing pack, but a loss to rivals Real would eliminate any margin for error.
What transpired the last time they competed?
This season, Real and Atletico have met twice: once in LaLiga and once in the Spanish Copa del Rey. Rodrygo and Federico Valverde’s first-half goals put their Sept. 18 LaLiga match beyond reach, before Mario Hermoso’s late goal restored some respectability with a 2-1 victory.
Their Copa del Rey quarterfinal match was much more dramatic, with Alvaro Morata putting Atletico ahead in the 19th minute and Rodrygo forcing extra time in the 79th. In the first five minutes of extra time, Atletico defender Stefan Savic received two quick yellow cards, reducing the team to 10 men. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. scored to seal the 3-1 victory.
How will Saturday’s match play out?
Leading content prior to Saturday’s game
Before the game, we have two excellent reads. Marcelo was the most decorated player in the history of Real Madrid, having won 25 trophies. He speaks with ESPN’s Martin Ainstein about the significance of the club to him.
Sid Lowe, an ESPN contributor, reflects on Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, for whom Saturday’s game will mark his 40th Madrid derby. Given that his club is at a crossroads, will Saturday be his final derby? He is the man who brought Atleti back into this rivalry.
