Is Julian Alvarez playing today? Confirmed lineups for Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid in 2026-27 LaLiga season

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid meet today in the Madrid derby at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, one of the marquee fixtures of the early LaLiga season between two sides jockeying for position near the top of the table.

Julian Alvarez has already put his recent injury scare behind him, returning to full training this week after a muscle issue kept him out of the club’s last two matches, though a start is off the table, as it has been confirmed he will start the game on the bench.

The clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano carries real weight in the early title picture. Real Madrid sit second in LaLiga on 15 points, three behind leaders Barcelona, while Atletico are fourth on 13 points, still very much within touching distance of the top of the table.

Diego Simeone’s side endured a rough patch in early September, losing 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao before falling 2-1 to Liverpool in the Champions League, but they’ve since responded with back-to-back wins over Real Sociedad and Osasuna, the latter a 4-0 rout that showed signs of life heading into this derby.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrive off a nervy 3-2 win over Elche settled by a stoppage-time winner from Carlos Espi, and Jose Mourinho will be chasing the club’s 126th win over their city rivals, as Atletico look to atone for a 3-2 home defeat to Los Blancos the last time these two met in March.

Atletico Madrid confirmed lineup

Simeone made late checks on Alvarez, Pablo Barrios, and Alexander Sorloth, all managing muscle issues, though Jonathan David was the winner of the race and was confirmed in the starting lineup.

Atlético Madrid confirmed starting XI: Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Cristian Romero, Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, David Hancko; Giuliano Simeone, Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso, Alex Grimaldo; Kang-in Li, and Jonathan David.

Real Madrid confirmed lineup

Mourinho will again be without Eder Militao (muscle), Rodrygo (knee), and Ferland Mendy (hip), but is otherwise close to full strength. Denzel Dumfries will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while Jude Bellingham returns to the side and Vinicius Junior keeps his place up front despite just one goal this season.

Real Madrid confirmed starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni; Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe.