Atletico Madrid will host Real Madrid in the Madrid Derby. Ahead of the match, Atletico goalkeeper Oblak attended a press conference to discuss the team's recent form, preparations for the derby, and facing Real Madrid under Mourinho's leadership, among other topics.

I'd like to ask about this derby. With Mourinho's return, does this derby have extra special significance?

Oblak: A derby is always a derby, and for everyone, it's always a special match. We always approach it with a strong desire to win, and I believe this will be a very interesting match.

You've been performing well in recent matches, keeping two consecutive clean sheets and scoring many goals. I wonder if this match could test just how high this team can reach? What are the limits for this team in such an important match?

Oblak: Yes, I think we've played quite well in the last two matches, especially the most recent one. Actually, our form has been good, but the season is still long. Some players haven't returned yet, and the team has many new signings, so the team is certainly still in an adjustment and development phase.

This season will be very long. This is an important match, and it's a derby. Obviously, we want to win this match. But I don't think Sunday's match will change the trajectory of the entire season.

You've played 36 derbies against Real Madrid. Has your approach to this type of match changed since your first Madrid Derby? Thank you.

Oblak: There's been no change at all. From my first derby until now, it's always been the same. In every derby, you step onto the pitch to win, you give everything on the field, you play with the mentality of trying to do your best, and you do everything you can to help the team. So this time will be no different, just like my first derby.

You're one of the captains and a very influential player in the dressing room. The start of this season has been difficult, with many players having played for their national teams before you had a chance to train together, and of course, there's the Alvarez situation. As a captain, how do you handle this in the dressing room? Have you spoken with him this week?

Oblak: I think, whether you're a player or a captain, we all see that as a normal situation. It's happened, and Alvarez is still with us. I've said that before, and all of us have said it—we always support him.

He's doing his best, he's played some matches, and he's given everything he can. I'm certain that as long as Alvarez is here, he will give 100%. He will do everything for this club and try to help the team achieve the best possible results.

You've worked with Simeone for many years and have witnessed the team's development and evolution from the very beginning. Do you think the current team is playing more dangerously and therefore conceding more goals?

Oblak: I think the entire world of football is changing. Whether it's conceding goals or scoring them, football now is very different from a few years ago. Perhaps a few years ago, defending was easier, or other teams didn't have the attacking intensity they have now. The Champions League is always very difficult, and our current style of play is certainly different from before. But at the same time, it's also difficult to play the way we did before.

I think football has evolved a lot. Overall, there are more goals in matches now compared to before, and I think that's normal.

Previously you conceded goals in four consecutive matches, and now you've kept two consecutive clean sheets. What have you mainly been working on with Simeone to avoid conceding so many goals?

Oblak: I hope we can continue this momentum. But as I said before, football has changed. Teams now are very strong, they're excellent at attacking and know how to find spaces, which might not have been as easy to find before. But we've been training in these areas, and we need to improve in every aspect. In the last two matches, we've done very well, and we must continue in this direction.

Obviously, we want to concede as few goals as possible, but on the other hand, you also need to score. What really matters is winning the match. Ultimately, as long as you score more goals than your opponent, you can win, and that's what's most important. But I believe as the season progresses, we will continue to improve. In the last two matches, we've done very well. As I just said, I hope we can maintain this form.

I'd like to ask about Koke. He continues to break records, and even as time passes, his current form remains excellent. How do you explain this? Also, for a match like Sunday, is having such a leader on the pitch more important than ever?

Oblak: I think Koke is a legend of this club, and he continues to prove it. He can play now because his own form deserves it. Not because he's Koke, not because he's played so many matches for the team, but because of the form he shows in daily training, and that's reflected in the matches.

He's the captain of this team and a symbol of this club. I think all Atletico fans can be very proud of him because he truly gives everything for this club. He's always here. As I often say, I hope he can continue to play for many more years, and I also hope he can eventually finish his career at this club.

Every time the season starts, we ask you what Atletico's goal is for the season. The fact is, if you win Sunday's derby, you'll go above Real Madrid before the international break and get closer to Barcelona. You've been at Atletico for many years—is this Atletico team fighting to win La Liga? Thank you.

Oblak: Atletico tries to win the league title every year. We're competing against many strong teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal who are also very strong right now, as well as Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis—many teams performing very well.

But what's certain is that we enter competitions every year with the goal of winning. We're not here just to participate, nor just to stay in first place and finish third or fourth. Obviously, we want to win the title. But as I said before, this season will be very long and very difficult. There will certainly be some very good periods in the season, and there will also be some periods when things don't go as you hope.

But we must stay united, we must believe in ourselves, and we must also have the ambition to compete for the title.

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