A victory on Sunday would lift Atletico Madrid above Real Madrid in the LaLiga table, giving Diego Simeone's side a direct opportunity to change the standings before the international break. Atletico go into the Riyadh Air Metropolitano fixture with 13 points from six matches, Real sit second on 15, and both clubs arrive with contrasting early-season records: Atletico have four wins, one draw and one loss, while Real have five wins and one defeat.
Speaking to Sporty TV, Ademola Lookman set the tone for Atletico's approach, calling Real "a first-class team" and warning the derby will be intense. "They are a first-class team. We know that facing such a good team will definitely be a tough fight," he said. He added confidence about Atletico's chances, "But we are ready for the challenge. Our team also has many excellent players, so we are looking forward to this challenge and this contest."
Lookman also reflected on his own development under Simeone, describing the period of adapting to different roles as beneficial. The 28-year-old has played seven times for Atletico this season and scored once. Management has deployed him across three positions so far — twice on the left wing, three times in a more central role and twice as a supporting striker — a variety he described as accelerating his learning. "I think it’s a learning process. Trying to learn different positions can certainly enrich my game and make me a more complete player," he told Sporty TV, adding work on movement with and without the ball is central to that process.
The derby is both a team test and a personal chance for Lookman to build on his earlier impact in this fixture, having scored in the clubs' previous meeting this year. For Atletico the match is an immediate shot at improving their league position; for Lookman, it is an opportunity to underline the progress he says he is making adapting to Simeone’s tactical demands. The result will set the tone for both sides as LaLiga pauses for international fixtures.
