Diego Simeone has called for his new Atletico Madrid players experiencing the Madrid derby for the first time to remain calm under the pressure of the fabled fixture.

Atletico welcome Madrid to the Metropolitano on Sunday, with just two points and two places separating the teams ahead of the extended international break. 

Simeone's side have won back-to-back LaLiga games against Real Sociedad and Osasuna following defeats to Atheltic Club and Liverpool, the latter in the Champions League.

Atleti lost their last LaLiga encounter against Madrid 3-2 on the road in March, after not losing any of their previous six meetings with their rivals (W2 D4).

They have only suffered two or more consecutive defeats against Madrid in the competition under Simeone on two occasions, the last coming in 2020, when they lost twice.

At home, Atleti are on their longest-ever winning streak in games against teams from the Community of Madrid (W6).

Atleti signed five players ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Morten Hjulmand, Kang-in Lee, Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David all arriving, the latter joining from Juventus on loan. 

When asked if he had any advice for his new players on what to expect in the Madrid derby, Simeone told reporters: "I'm not one to give advice. Yes, to transmit experiences.

"The pressure, the excitement generated by a match like tomorrow's at the Metropolitano with our people is normal. Calm, above all, calm.

"There is a word that is security. If you are confident in what you do, it can go wrong or bad, but it is the way.

"The characteristics of the two teams, they have a more powerful transition than ours. In the event of any loss of the ball, they look for that option with [Kylian] Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

"On our side, try not to have losses of possession, which is when they have shown they are the best."

Madrid have won their last two games against Atletico in all competitions, but they have not recorded three or more consecutive victories against them since 2013, when they had 10 consecutive derby wins (two under Manuel Pellegrini and eight under Jose Mourinho).

The match will also see Simeone reunited with Mourinho, with the Madrid boss taking 15 points from his first six games in LaLiga since returning to the Spanish capital. 

Simeone has only managed more LaLiga games with a 100% loss record against Xavi (five games, five losses) than he has against Mourinho (three games, three losses).

Mourinho has also won all six of his LaLiga matches against Atletico, making him the only manager in the competition's history to win each of his first six Madrid derbies, on either side of the divide. 

"Talking about so many years ago doesn't suit me. I have great respect for Mourinho," Simeone added of facing Mourinho again.

"I am an admirer of his, he knows how much I appreciate him. Hopefully we can compete as we have done when we have had to face each other."

Simeone was also asked about the availability of Julian Alvarez, who has missed Atletico's last two matches through injury. 

"He will accompany us. Then we'll decide if he starts from the start or comes off during the game," Simeone said of Alvarez's fitness.