Atlético de Madrid eagerly awaits tomorrow's draw where they will learn their opponent in the Champions League knockout stage. The red-and-whites managed to sneak into the top eight and therefore didn't have to play the extra matches that their eternal city rival did. The whites swept Manchester City with a 2-3 and a 3-1, with an aggregate of 6-3, and are already anticipating a possible duel with Simeone's team.
One of the Madrid players who has spoken clearly about a hypothetical clash between Madrid teams is Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman completed one of his best matches as a Madridist with a hat-trick against a very weak City, but it reaffirms his great form and clears all doubts. He has been at a great level for weeks, even scoring the goal against the colchoneros in the classic, and he improves every day compared to his weak start at the Concha Espina club.
The Frenchman wasn't in the first leg match in LaLiga when the Madridists and the colchoneros drew one goal each. Meanwhile, he did participate in the return leg and was decisive for his team to equalize Julián Alvarez's penalty. Mbappé is the biggest threat to the whites and Simeone knows it; the Frenchman enjoys it and throws a challenge to the Chamartín neighbors.
Mbappé Wants to Face Griezmann
The Madrid number 9, asked on Movistar microphones after the match, was very clear and very blunt. "If I have to choose, I prefer Atleti, at least we don't travel, although both opponents will be very tough," said the Bondy native. The Frenchman has already scored 28 goals with the whites in 37 matches, with an impressive streak since he missed that penalty in Bilbao.
The former PSG player has scored 14 goals in 2025, in the 14 matches he played under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti. Little by little, he is reaching his best form and is proving that he has come to stay, despite some thinking he would be a failure. The 2018 World Cup champion with France already feels fully adapted to Real Madrid.
Three Possible Derbies on the Horizon
After several years of not taking the step, finally last summer Florentino Pérez managed to finalize his signing. Kylian Mbappé this time did have the determination, to land in the capital of Spain after seven years. Now he is the great threat to Atlético de Madrid in a hypothetical Champions League knockout stage.
It wouldn't be the only possible classic; if the red-and-whites and the whites advance in the Copa del Rey, they would face each other on April 26 in Seville. However, Simeone's team must first eliminate Barça and the whites must overcome Real Sociedad led by Imanol Alguacil. The season reaches its midpoint, and tomorrow we will know if there are at least two more derbies, where Mbappé awaits the colchoneros with sharpened claws.