Oblak: Atlético are chasing the LaLiga title

Jan Oblak has framed Sunday's derby at the Metropolitano as more than a battle for local pride, saying Atlético are chasing the title itself.

"We will try to become champions. We are competing with very strong opponents — Real Madrid and Barcelona, but there is also Athletic, Villarreal, Betis... Every year, playing in LaLiga, we want to win, not just fight to qualify for the Champions League," Oblak told reporters.

The 33-year-old Slovenian, at Atlético since February 2022, has seen his side take 13 points from the opening six rounds, leaving them fourth, five points behind leaders Barcelona and two behind Real Madrid ahead of kick-off. A win on Sunday would send Simeone's side into the season's first international break — three weeks long — above their neighbours in the table.

On the fixture itself, Oblak kept his answer simple. "A derby always remains a derby. Everyone wants to play in matches like this. From the very first derby I have always gone out onto the pitch wanting to win. In games like this you always leave everything out there, you try to play as well as you can and help the team. This time will be no different," he said.

The match kicks off at 17:15 Moscow time on Sunday, the seventh round of LaLiga, and every ticket at the Metropolitano was gone by Friday bar a handful priced at 590 euros each. It will also be Mourinho's first visit to the ground as Real Madrid manager, renewing his rivalry with Simeone. Atlético go into the game without Julián Álvarez, sidelined by a muscular injury that has already cost him the trips to Real Sociedad and Osasuna, with Pablo Barrios' fitness also in doubt after a leg problem picked up against Liverpool.