Mourinho and Simeone renew rivalry in Madrid derby after more than a decade

The last Madrid derby between Mourinho and Simeone came in the 2013 Copa del Rey final, when Atletico beat Real 2-1 after extra time

When Atletico Madrid welcome Real Madrid to Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone will renew a rivalry not seen for more than a decade.

The two managers have not faced each other since 2014, when Mourinho was manager of Chelsea and Atleti knocked the English side out of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

But this will not be their first Madrid derby as rival managers.

That came two years before the Champions League encounter, when Simeone’s Atletico welcomed Mourinho to their former home, the Vicente Calderon Stadium, during the Portuguese’s first reign as Real boss - he left with a 4-1 win that day.

“This is a derby,” Mourinho said. “Derbies are always something more special because of the history, the culture of the games and the passion of the fans.”

But, ever the pragmatist, he added: “But obviously three points is most important thing.”

Mourinho has three wins and a draw in their six previous meetings, while Atleti’s 2013 Copa del Rey triumph ended a 14-year wait for a derby victory.

Real Madrid go into the match second in La Liga with 15 points from six games, with Real Betis on the same number of points and Atletico fourth on 13.

Leading the table are Barcelona on 21 points, meaning defeat for Mourinho’s men would leave them six points behind after the first seven matches.

Atleti have themselves responded to consecutive defeats by Athletic Club and Liverpool with back-to-back victories, beating Real Sociedad 3-0 and then Osasuna 4-0.

Real Madrid also come into the derby on the back of a success, edging past Elche 3-2.

Mourinho has spent much of the build-up resisting comparisons with Atleti and Barcelona, despite the contrasting narratives surrounding the clubs.

Hansi Flick’s Barca side have made a perfect start with eight wins in all competitions - seven in the league - while Real have had to produce defining moments in several matches.

Their last league outing against Elche reflected this. Real led 2-0 before being brought back to 2-2, only for substitute Carlos Espi to score a 91st-minute winner.

“It’s not normal to be winning 2-0 then the other team is able to equalise,” Mourinho said, while pointing to the character shown by his players in finding late winners.

“The league is a marathon and it’s not always a straight line. There will be obstacles, but we will be there to overcome them.”

That ability to manage matches is one of the main questions surrounding Real as Mourinho acknowledged they have not yet reached the level of control he wants, despite positive results.

“I am aware of the fact we can improve, we have to improve, but I also see a lot of very positive collective and individual things and in the three games where we needed last-minute winners, we found them,” he added.

The derby carries particular significance because of Real’s recent difficulties at the Metropolitano, where they have won only two of their past 11 away matches, with the last in La Liga four years ago.

Atleti also won the corresponding derby last season 5-2 - a result that represented an early setback for Real’s previous project under Xabi Alonso.

This time, though, there is a different manager on the touchline.

Mourinho’s return this summer has brought a familiar emphasis on organisation and adaptability, but he insisted his tactical approach is dictated by the players available to him rather than a fixed philosophy.

“I’ve evolved alongside my players,” he said. “You have what you like and don’t like as a manager but then you have to work with the group of players you have.”

Simeone’s assessment of Real’s biggest weapon was clear.

“They’re better in transition than us,” said the Argentine, who has managed Atleti in over 800 games since taking charge in 2011.

He believes Real’s ability to turn winning the ball into instant attacking opportunities will be one of the key tactical elements in the game.

“When there’s a loss of possession, they look for [Kylian] Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, they play to that strength,” added Simeone.

“We have to read the game well and not allow any turnovers, so we don’t allow them to use those transitions.”

It is a warning that carries weight given the attacking options and speed available to Mourinho.

France striker Mbappe remains the focal point, while Vinicius Jr provides another route into space.

Real also have the quality to change the game from the bench, something the 21-year-old Espi has already demonstrated since his summer arrival from Levante.

Aware of the feisty and hostile encounters of old, Simeone has urged his players not to become overwhelmed by the occasion.

“I’m not one for giving advice,” he said when asked how his players should approach the fixture.

“It’s normal for new players to feel pressure, with the excitement a game like this generates, but they need to be calm. Football is about composure.”

Simeone, though, described Atleti as a team still “in construction” after a busy summer in which seven players left and five arrived.

One of the biggest selection issues concerning him involves compatriot Julian Alvarez, who has missed the past two games with a muscle problem.

Forward Alexander Sorloth is also injured, while new signing, Canadian Jonathan David, has scored in each of his last two appearances.

However, Simeone confirmed Alvarez will feature at some point, giving his side more strength in attack and threat in transition.

While both he and Mourinho will plot the downfall of the other’s team, there is respect between the pair after their past.

“I have huge respect for Mourinho, I’ve been an admirer of his for a long time,” said Simeone. “He knows the regard I have for him. Hopefully we can compete as we have done when we’ve faced him.”

Mourinho revealed he had been asked to discuss Simeone for a documentary and had no hesitation in speaking positively about him.

Having been in charge for 100 days, he refused to give himself a positive or negative assessment.

“All I can say is that I’ve given it my all,” he said. “I gave 100%. We have to keep on doing that every day.”

Will the three-week break put more pressure on managers?

Fulham coach Alvaro Arbeloa and Manchester United boss Michael Carrick have endured difficult starts to the season.

Three weeks is a long time in football - especially if you are a manager struggling for results.

So far this season three coaches have lost their jobs - Paul Heckingbottom at Preston North End, Michael Duff at Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough’s Luke Williams.

But plenty of others will be looking over their shoulders heading into the new, extended international break.

That includes the managers of Fulham and Manchester United, who on Sunday meet at Craven Cottage in the final fixture before players jet off around the world with their countries.

It will all be pretty new to Alvaro Arbeloa, appointed as Fulham’s manager in the summer after taking charge of just 28 games as Real Madrid boss in the second half of last season.

But with no wins and three defeats in his first four Premier League matches, and speculation of unrest among the squad due to players’ social media activity, the pressure is already on Arbeloa.

Likewise Michael Carrick at Old Trafford, especially after the 3-2 EFL Cup exit to Brighton on Wednesday.

It was the first time United had led at home by two goals and lost since they were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham in 1976, half a century ago.

Coming on the back of the 1-0 loss to 10-man Manchester City, and with their only victories this season against Ipswich Town and Sabah, Carrick needs results.

But they are not the only managers who might have cause for concern.

Over the past 10 years, it has been rare for a Premier League manager to be replaced this early in the campaign.

Even more so in the international break.

But could it be different this year? The first break is longer, three weeks rather than two, and comes later.

The September slot used to come at the start of the month when clubs had only played three league fixtures.

In the past 10 years only two managers - Watford’s Javi Gracia in 2019 and Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo last year - moved on during this break.

What about the October stoppage? Again, only two managers have previously lost their jobs during the same period - Francesco Guidolin at Swansea in 2016, and Xisco Munoz at Watford in 2021.

This suggests clubs do not tend to use an international break to change manager.

It is, though, far more likely to happen in November, with six bosses replaced in the past 10 years.

That does not mean managers are safe, though. The changes simply were not made during the breaks.

In the past 10 campaigns, nine coaches had left their jobs by the time the second international break came along - which is where we are in the number of games.

With no manager to move on yet, could it come in the next three weeks?

Former Stoke, West Brom and Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis explains when the pressure can build for a football manager.

With the first international break upon us, rumblings around certain clubs that have started the season poorly have surfaced.

In my time, the October/November international breaks, the pause just after the Christmas period, and then early March would be the three sticking points for any manager who was struggling with results.

Why these breaks are used for clubs to make changes is plain to see. The pause in the season gives football clubs the chance to appoint a new manager with time for them to settle into their new role, to take stock of the surroundings, staff and time to prepare for their first game in charge.

After Christmas, usually the first game is an FA Cup match, which again gives the new boss a chance close up to see what they have to work with. First impressions can be a vital starting point, so again the manager has time to prepare and deliver their principles to the lads.

Personally, I’ve joined quite a few of my clubs midway through seasons, and have left a few clubs going the other way, but I do honestly believe that those international breaks, for the reasons I’ve given, definitely heighten the chances of struggling managers getting the sack.

I don’t see this September break as a flashing light, it is too early in the season, but from then on in, the dates I have mentioned really do come into play.

But this early international break doesn’t help any managers.

Whether your team is winning or losing, on both accounts, it’s a nightmare. If you’re winning you want to keep playing, and yet if you’ve started badly as a manager you want more time to put it right. Players travelling and the chance of injuries at such an early stage of the season is completely bonkers in my opinion.

Roberto de Zerbi’s Tottenham are yet to win a Premier League game this season.

While the evidence suggests things have to get pretty bad for a club to change manager early in the season, a few bosses are feeling the heat.

There are ways of losing games of course, but I don’t see the trip to Fulham as being ‘make or break’ for Carrick in the sense of his job.

Carrick says it would be “ridiculous” to think that way - and I agree.

He got enough credit in the bank last season by steering Manchester United into the Champions League to ride out a poor start to the season.

I think the issue is United generate so much debate that a loss at Craven Cottage, which would be United’s first since 2009, against a team that has only one point and is bottom of the table, would lead to numerous external inquests - which in turn puts a laser focus on the club when they resume their campaign against Tottenham on 10 October.

It is unclear exactly how much danger Arbeloa is in, but there appears to be some substance to reports of disgruntlement among elements of Fulham’s squad early in the campaign.

His significant tactical changes since replacing Marco Silva have left the Cottagers vulnerable at the back, although they produced a more solid display in a goalless draw away to Liverpool last weekend. Silva spent five years at Craven Cottage.

However, owner Shahid Khan has shown a ruthless streak in the past when making managerial changes. Claudio Ranieri lasted just 106 days in charge, while Felix Magath was sacked in September 2014, albeit having been appointed the previous season.

The results go from bad to worse for Tottenham. Having spent about £300m on new talent over the summer the club’s owners are getting very little bang for their buck in terms of points (and goals) scored.

But there is no sense whatsoever that Roberto de Zerbi is under pressure despite the club’s difficult start - no wins from five games.

The vibes with regards to how the team is starting to play are positive amid a sense that it is only a matter of time before they click.

Of course, for Tottenham, it needs to click sooner rather than later.

Pierre Sage has endured an indifferent start to life at Palace. One league win so far hasn’t gone down particularly well internally, nor has the team’s leaky defence since the Frenchman’s arrival from Lens.

Allowances will be made for the unavailability - for a manner of reasons - of key attacking duo Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The 4-0 win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday eased some of the pressure, but a defeat at Leeds this afternoon would come at the worst possible time for Sage.

Nicky Hayen quit Genk to spearhead Burnley’s bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

The Clarets started the season as third favourites for promotion, behind West Ham and Wolves, but are winless in their first eight matches.

In his pre-match news conference on Friday, the Belgian faced questions about his future.

Hayen admitted he was under pressure and Saturday’s game against fellow slow starters Derby was a must-win fixture.

But a disappointing 1-1 draw, with the Rams scoring a stoppage-time leveller, left Burnley rock-bottom going into the break.

The Burnley board might now be assessing their options.

Derby manager John Eustace, who almost took the club to the play-offs last season, is not safe either with the club in the relegation zone.

A Watford manager can never rest easy in their seat. Alessio Dionisi, appointed in the summer, became their 27th permanent manager in just under 18 years.

Friday’s defeat at Bristol City left the Hornets with two wins from their first eight league games under the Italian, who managed Empoli before moving to England.

Sitting in 19th position in the league table, three points above the drop zone, it would not be a surprise if owner Gino Pozzo decided to make an early change.

Brighton humbling 'a big lesson' for Arsenal - Arteta

An uncharacteristic performance from Arsenal saw them ship three goals at Brighton - but boss Mikel Arteta believes their first Premier League defeat this season could prove a “big lesson”.

The defending champions have been tipped by many to retain the title they won last season for the first time in 22 years.

An impressive seven-match winning start to this campaign in all competitions - nine in successive league games dating back to April - backed up that belief.

But Arsenal were humbled on the south coast as a well-drilled and clinical Brighton outfit beat them comfortably 3-0 to go third in the table.

Arteta, whose side did not lose by more than a single goal in the top flight last term, acknowledged the Seagulls “deserved” the success and there were lessons the Gunners needed to take heading into the international break.

The manner of the defeat - Arsenal’s heaviest in a season where they were the reigning top-flight champions since 1989 - will also offer hope to their title rivals that they are not invincible.

Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has made a point of reiterating how much he values physicality and the demands he puts on his side to win duels.

But against Brighton, Arsenal were dominated all over the pitch and lost challenges which they would usually be expected to win.

Arteta said he was “extremely disappointed” as his side were “very far” from doing the basics he expected, with uncertainty in defence, a loss of midfield control and lack of attacking creativity.

Asked why they were below par, the Spaniard added: “Well, the first one because Brighton they were really good, and they had another bite, and at the times it was better. There are a lot of moments when the ball is 50-50 and it changes hands and most of the time it was for them. Sometimes there were some technical errors very much involved that opened us up in a really difficult way, but that’s something to learn.”

He was quick to remind the media in his news conference after the game that it was still a good start to the season.

The Gunners had 15 players at the World Cup which meant that a large part of the squad joined up for pre-season later than the rest of their team-mates.

“That’s not going to take away what the team has done and the boys have done in the last six or seven weeks since coming back from the World Cup,” added Arteta. “What we’ve done and the way we’ve competed and the amount of games we’ve won has been remarkable, but this is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level.”

Brighton are currently the Premier League’s top scorers with 16 goals - hitting eight of them in the past week - and could have had more against an Arsenal side who pride themselves on keeping clean sheets.

The Gunners conceded the fewest goals of any side last season and just one got past David Raya in their first four league games before Saturday’s defeat.

“It should have been more, the chances Brighton created, they were that good,” said former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer on BBC Radio 5 Live. “They absolutely battered Arsenal. How many times have we said that recently? From start to finish today Brighton were magnificent, every single one of them played their part. They were strong, they were fit, they went after Arsenal. They had no fear and it worked brilliantly for them, it should have been six or seven goals.”

The Gunners were 2-0 down at the break and have not recovered to win from such a position in a league game since March 2008 at Bolton.

“Every time Brighton chased down the ball, they got it absolutely spot on. They did it as a team, they didn’t do it individually,” added Shearer. “They thought, ‘we respect Arsenal but we’re not going to give them any space to play’. The organisation was great and that just doesn’t happen on its own and you’ve got to give [manager] Fabian Hurzeler credit for that.”

Arsenal spent around £200m in the summer transfer window in a bid to strengthen the squad to challenge for more honours, and Arteta was asked if they needed reminding how tough the Premier League can be.

He said: “I think they knew, I think we knew how tough it was going to be today, and the first thing that we had discussed was about the first part. If you don’t get out of that first part as winners, it will be extremely difficult to dominate the game and to have any probability of winning the game. We knew that, but that’s again credit to them for what they’ve done because they’ve overcome us and they had another edge than we did. And that’s something that at this level it’s extremely important to respect and to understand before anything else.”

Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies believed the Gunners could put the result and display down to a “blip”. “Their form this season has so far been good, this has been a really shocking performance,” he said on 5 Live. “That defence today was nowhere near what it’s used to being. The disappointment will be a set-piece goal conceded, Arsenal will have a real long look at themselves. They didn’t lay a glove on Brighton, and didn’t make anything of their attacking situations.”

How does De Zerbi fix Spurs' scoring troubles?

All of Roberto De Zerbi’s side’s goals have come in the Carabao Cup this season

Four games into the season, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City are the only sides yet to score in the Premier League.

Spurs have brought in £320m worth of talent – a bulk of that in attacking reinforcements – so why are they struggling to score?

We analysed the tactics Roberto de Zerbi is trying to implement and what potential fixes may look like.

While the Premier League looks different to when De Zerbi left Brighton in 2024, the Italian has shown clear signs of adapting while retaining his tactical principles.

De Zerbi’s sides entice opponents to apply pressure – often through slowing down play and passing the ball backwards.

They then react to the opponents’ movements by speeding up play, looking to take advantage of the spaces behind the pressing players through direct passing or powerful carrying.

In a 2020 coaching seminar, De Zerbi explained: “The stronger the pressure of the opponent, the more vertical [our] action becomes. [The fewer opponents behind], the easier it becomes to go and score.”

We have seen De Zerbi’s forwards in bigger spaces facing fewer defenders on numerous occasions this season already.

Turning build-up play to goals, however, requires many parts to come together.

Spurs’ shape in possession can be hard to read but it often looks like a 2-3-2-3.

The holding midfielder, usually Rodrigo Bentancur, anchors the midfield in front of Spurs’ two central defenders with this trio remaining fairly fixed.

The 2-3-2-3 shape generally stays the same but there is rotation between the wingers, full-backs and central midfielders.

In rotating, players are encouraged to maintain the side’s shape by swapping zones with their team-mates – filling gaps as they arise.

Spurs’ shape in possession can look like a 2-3-2-3. Sandro Tonali is on the ball in a position the left-back may be expected to occupy. Left-back Andy Robertson is instead positioned on the left wing with winger Omar Marmoush inverting into an attacking midfield position.

On top of these positional rules, De Zerbi gives his sides principles to implement.

A lot of what he is doing worked well during his time at Marseille - from 2024 to 2026 - where they averaged 2.3 goals per game.

It might not be happening for De Zerbi yet this season at Tottenham. But they might not be that far off.

De Zerbi encourages his players to play centrally.

This has two effects.

When Spurs’ centre-backs are on the ball, opposing midfielders and forwards begin to push up, creating space for Spurs’ attacking midfielders between the lines.

The other effect this central play has is that it can draw the defending team in-field, which opens up space in the wide areas for Spurs’ direct wingers to attack.

This short sequence illustrates the above well. A narrow Spurs look to progress the ball, starting at their holding midfielder. Everton’s midfielders step up but their defensive line doesn’t follow, leaving space between the lines.

Mateus Fernandes’ central position draws players towards him, which leaves Savio free on the wing. Fernandes notices this and lays the ball off to him.

When playing these passes into the middle, a few things have to align.

Players receiving the pass have to be comfortable doing so under pressure and naturally, some are more suited to these constraints.

Recognising that Sandro Tonali is better in big space facing forwards, we have seen him rotate positions with Archie Gray, who starts at right-back - a sensible tweak.

Although not his natural position, the 20-year-old has managed in these tight spaces and appears to understand the tactical demands of his manager.

The return of James Maddison, who came back from a shoulder injury for last Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool, will provide De Zerbi with a player better suited to these spaces and in turn help get Spurs into attacking zones more often.

In his short cameo against Liverpool, James Maddison took the ball facing his own goal under pressure.

After turning sharply, he played a clever through-ball for Marmoush running in behind.

Individual player quality aside, much of the success of this approach will come down to players internalising their manager’s instructions.

And it will take time for some of the squad to unlearn the habits they developed under previous coaches.

At the start of last season under Thomas Frank, Spurs built up primarily down the flanks, almost skipping the centre of the pitch entirely. The logic then was to avoid the risk associated with turnovers in the middle of the pitch.

De Zerbi is actively coaching an unorthodox style that goes against these instructions - but getting players to be brave enough to play in congested areas may take some time.

Spurs’ build-up play under De Zerbi is heavily central. Here, in yellow, we see eight of the 10 outfield players in a central position.

By comparison, Spurs’ build-up under Frank was focused on progression through the flanks. Here, in yellow, we see four players wide with only one positioned centrally, highlighted in white.

Spurs’ build-up has regularly got them in positions behind the opposition midfield by attacking quickly after they are pressed.

Turning these great attacking situations into goals has been one of Spurs’ biggest issues.

There are three parts to this. The first is the ability to recognise the best pass available. This depends the second element - the movement of players ahead of them. Thirdly, players need to have the ability to execute the pass.

Spurs’ biggest bottleneck so far has been in players either failing to recognise or opting not to play through balls in behind.

Against Liverpool, Spurs have the chance to play long into three runners against two Liverpool defenders.

Instead the player on the ball goes backwards, much to the highlighted player’s frustration.

The attacking runs, particularly from Omar Marmoush, have generally been good but passes haven’t always followed.

Gray has attempted to feed passes down the line but Spurs have not done this regularly more centrally.

Pedro Porro, known for his ability to create chances, took up a more central role in possession for Spain this summer as they won the World Cup.

As he returns, his natural tendencies, which suit these tactics, may help Spurs create more goalscoring chances.

They might then get some of the joy that De Zerbi’s forwards had at Marseille.

Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was able to round the keeper and score from this direct attack in the Champions League against Newcastle last season.

But while Porro gets up to speed, others in the Tottenham team are still getting to grips with the runs expected of them.

During De Zerbi’s time at Marseille, diagonal runs from wide attackers on the last line, found by willing vertical passers, worked as a way of finding goals.

In this example, Spurs have a chance to replicate the sort of through pass that worked so well at Marseille - to an attacker on a diagonal run - but Mathys Tel starts his run from wider, preventing him from getting in behind his admittedly quick defensive opponent.

Marmoush decided to dribble centrally and there is a question as to whether he could have still played the pass - but the overarching ideas are almost coming together.

Igor Paixao’s goal in Marseille’s 2-2 draw with Toulouse last season is a strong example of these ideas working well, with De Zerbi’s former club displaying a good understanding of direct passing and well-timed off-ball movement.

Similarly, against Liverpool on Tuesday, we saw Destiny Udogie get into good positions on the left flank.

Although Andy Robertson has played well for Tottenham this season, Udogie’s physicality and timing helped him exploit space when the game became stretched.

This allowed Spurs to get into crossing positions against a disorganised Liverpool shape.

Destiny Udogie, highlighted in yellow, begins this Spurs’ counter-attack.

The attack moves at pace - with the Italian full-back arriving in the box to play a dangerous cross that Spurs were unable to convert from six yards out.

When an attacking side accelerate play, it is common for the defending team to drop back in an urgent manner, looking to protect their goal.

When this happens, space opens up in front of the defence, for late-arriving midfielders or clever strikers that drop back.

Again, Marmoush has tried to do this on a number of occasions but has not always been found.

This may be a matter of players requiring time to gel. For Savio, it may also be a wide player struggling to pull the ball back on their weak foot.

Left-footed right-winger Savio is better at getting to the byeline but the left-footed Udogie and Robertson have created clearer chances via crosses.

At Marseille, both right winger and right full-back were comfortable cutting the ball back on their right foot.

These crosses were maximised by the excellent box-movement of 37-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Here, Savio’s quick dribbling ability gets him to the byeline. As Dominic Solanke’s run towards goal, Everton’s backline drops deep. Marmoush, in yellow, recognises this and pulls off into a great position for a cutback but isn’t found.

Looking at how De Zerbi is trying to work, it is easier to see how many of Tottenham’s attacking moves are almost there in terms of creating clearer chances.

This is not to say things will be perfect immediately. Successful tactics depend on a team’s quality - and Marseille’s forwards were excellent finishers who thrived in space.

But if the small details across the pitch are refined, Spurs should create enough chances to score, even if they miss a few.

I have experienced racism a thousand times - Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal has won La Liga three times since making his Barcelona debut as a 15-year-old

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal says he has experienced racism “a thousand times”, because people are unaware their comments or behaviour are offensive.

The Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, a government agency, said earlier this year that the 19-year-old and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr were the most frequent targets of online racist abuse in Spain in the final quarter of 2025.

Lamine Yamal was among the Barca players targeted by racist abuse during El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in October 2024.

And in an interview with broadcaster Movistar, the winger, who helped Spain to win the World Cup in July, said he had encountered racism on a regular basis during his rise to prominence.

“A thousand times. People are indirectly racist toward you, but maybe don’t realise it,” he said.

“There are a lot of comments or looks that are racist and they don’t even notice.

He added: “If someone calls me Black, it’s not going to bother me at all, ultimately I’m Black, I’m not any other colour.

“Another thing is whether it’s good or bad, whether they’re saying it to offend me.

“But if I’m playing a match and they paid for a ticket to see me, I’m not going to get angry just because they disrespected me.”