The wait is almost over. Real Madrid have officially revealed their travelling squad for Sunday evening’s Madrid Derby at the Metropolitano, and the news from the Bernabéu camp is largely positive — José Mourinho has a strong, near-full-strength group at his disposal for one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in world football.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
The headline injury concern for Los Blancos heading into the derby is the continued absence of three players: Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, and Éder Militão all miss out, each sidelined with long-term injury issues. Those are significant names to be without — Militão in particular is a cornerstone of Real’s defensive setup when fit, while Mendy’s pace and reliability down the left flank is difficult to replace. Rodrygo, meanwhile, offers creative spark and versatility across the front line.
However, the more encouraging story here is who is available. Players who had been carrying injury concerns more recently — Raúl Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, and Aurélien Tchouaméni — have all been passed fit and included in the squad. That’s a huge boost, particularly Tchouaméni’s presence in midfield. The French international is a combative, commanding presence in the engine room, and his physicality could be crucial in the cut-and-thrust environment a Madrid Derby always produces.
Why This Fixture Matters So Much Right Now
This isn’t just any derby. Context is everything, and right now Real Madrid find themselves locked in a title race with Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side, who have been in relentless, ruthless form this season. Every dropped point in La Liga has the potential to be costly, which means Sunday’s trip across the city carries enormous weight well beyond local pride and bragging rights.
A win at the Metropolitano would do several things for Mourinho’s side simultaneously: it would deliver three points against a direct rival, it would deal a psychological blow to a tough and well-organised Atlético outfit under Diego Simeone, and it would send a message to Barcelona that Real Madrid are not going anywhere in this title race. A defeat, by contrast, could open up a gap that becomes very difficult to close as the season wears on.
The Madrid Derby at the Metropolitano is never an easy assignment. Atlético under Simeone are notoriously hard to beat on home soil — compact, aggressive, and utterly relentless in their defensive organisation. Real will need to be at their sharpest, and having a fit and available squad — with only those three confirmed long-term absentees — gives Mourinho the options and depth he needs to approach this one with genuine confidence.
What’s Next for Los Merengues
For Real Madrid fans, the relief that Tchouaméni, Asencio, and Pitarch have all cleared the fitness hurdle to make the squad will be palpable. Derby week is always tense at the best of times, and injury bulletins in the build-up can either calm nerves or send them spiralling. This one, on balance, is as good as Real supporters could have reasonably hoped for given the long-term absences already in the books.
All eyes now turn to the Metropolitano on Sunday evening. The atmosphere will be electric, the stakes will be high, and Real Madrid need their players to deliver when it matters most. With a largely fit and competitive squad named, there’s every reason to believe Mourinho’s side can go there and get the result their title ambitions demand.
Hala Madrid — let’s get those three points.
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For official club updates, visit Real Madrid’s official website.