Atlético de Madrid travel north to rainy Galicia for a showdown with goalless Celta Vigo on Thursday evening ahead of Sunday’s Madrid derby.

Atlético Madrid (3-3-0, 12 points) suffered a disappointing draw at Rayo Vallecano, which increased the Rojiblancos’ gap to title rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at the start of the season. This result means Atlético face the “duty” of winning in Vigo ahead of El Derbi Madrileño on Sunday evening – otherwise the Colchoneros could find themselves five points behind Madrid and nine points behind Barça before kick-off on Thursday.

“It is logical to name Atlético as challengers (Barça and Madrid), that has happened again and again in the last 12 years,” Diego Simeone told reporters on Wednesday. “In the end, nothing happened other than one of those two teams winning the title, other than the two leagues we won.”

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Celta (3-0-3, 9 points) was one of LALIGA’s great entertainers in this early phase of the 2024/25 season. Under head coach Claudio Giráldez – and continually inspired by 37-year-old Iago Aspas – Celta scored 14 of 11 expected goals, the second-highest total in the league. The Sky Blues have also scored 13 goals in these six games (albeit 9.5 expected), which is the most in the competition. Key defender Óscar Mingueza (who leads the team with three assists) will be unavailable against Atlético due to a thigh injury.

“We had a bad first half in Vallecas but a good reaction (to going behind),” Simeone said. “We are working to get the best out of a rival who is playing well, especially at home under a coach who is producing good results.”

Atlético have won their last six meetings with Celta and have lost just once in 17 games against them. El Cholo will be keen to get Julián Alvarez going ahead of the derby; The star newcomer hit the crossbar from distance at Vallecas in the first half, but only touched the ball 38 times in the game. Koke did not train on Wednesday as Simeone keeps an eye on El Derbi; The captain was still called up to the squad and will play in Galicia. Rodrigo de Paul, who scored the winner in Atlético’s last game against Celta, has returned to the squad and will also get some minutes ahead of the derby after resting for the Rayo game.

Date September 26, 2024

Location Estadio Abanca Balaídos, Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia

Kick-off time 9:00 p.m. CET, 8:00 p.m. BST, 3:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. PT

Available TV/Streaming ESPN+ (USA), DAZN (Spain)