The Derbi Madrileño between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid is one of the most fraught matches in La Liga. At least in the past ten years, the rivalry has increased enormously, with Atlético Madrid also competing for the prizes. Due to the successes of recent years, Atlético has also built up a worldwide fan base, so that the game is followed with tension all over the world. Our football trips to Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid are also among the most popular of the offer. Although tickets for the Madrilenian derby are becoming increasingly difficult to find, with a football travel trip you can choose from several places in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and you will always sit next to each other. Together with 85,000 other visitors you are guaranteed to experience a blistering derby in the completely renovated stadium of the Royal One.
On this page you will find all the information you need to optimally prepare for your football trip to the Madrid derby. Here is everything you need to know:
- The history of the Derbi Madrileño
- The most memorable derbies
- Facts about Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid
- Players who played for both clubs
- Estadio Santiago Bernabéu during the Derbi Madrileño
- Where do the Real Madrid fans party, eat and drink?
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The history of the Derbi Madrileño
Until 1950, Atlético was the most successful club in Madrid. Real Madrid had not progressed beyond two league titles in the 1930s. The national title usually had to be left to Athletic Bilbao, FC Barcelona or fellow townsman Atlético Madrid. Los Rojiblancos won the title in 1940, 1941, 1950 and 1951, while Real was always behind. In the derby, Atlético was usually too strong for the Royal One. From 1940 to 1951, Atlético won 13 derbies, against eight for Real Madrid. Everything changed when top players such as Di Stéfano and Puskás came to play at Real Madrid. Under chairman Bernabéu, Real Madrid grew into the best club in the world. Real Madrid was also untouchable in Spain. Atlético also lost in the Derbi Madrileño. They hit rock bottom from 1999 to 2013. During this period, Atlético Madrid did not win once against the great Real. As a result, the status of the duel continued to deteriorate. But with the arrival of Diego Simeone to Atlético, the team grew into a real fighting machine. In 2013, Atlético beat its big brother for the first time. A year later, it defeated Real twice in the competition and also won the duels for the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey of the fellow townsman. Since then, both Madrid clubs, together with FC Barcelona, have been among the top-3 in Spain. In recent years, the Derbi Madrileño is guaranteed to be an enormous spectacle, with a blistering atmosphere and sold-out stadiums.
Real – Atlético: the most memorable derbies
17 May 2013: Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid 1-2 in the extra time
On this evening, Real Madrid had not been losing a game to its fellow townsman for fourteen years. Since 1999, the counter stood at nineteen wins and five draws. Nothing seemed to be wrong in this Copa del Rey final in Bernabéu. Within fifteen minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo gave the home team a 1-0 lead. But this was a different Atlético than in the last fourteen years. This was Diego Simeone’s team: a fighting machine that would not let itself be sidelined.
Even before halftime, Diego Costa arrange the 1-1 score. Then the balloon went up, as is often the case in the derby. Real coach José Mourinho was shown red for persistent protests. Ronaldo was also able to leave in extra time after hitting Gabi in the face. Not much later, Gabi was allowed to enter too. With ten against ten, it was Mirani who put Atlético on 1-2 in the 110th minute. For example, the Rojiblancos won the Copa del Rey in the lion’s den. And for the first time in this century, the fellow townsman was once again defeated. It was the start of a new period, in which Real was no longer automatically assured of winning the Derby.
2014: Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid 4 – 1 in the extra time
In 2014, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid ensured a unique event in the Champions League. In Lisbon, there were two clubs from one city in the final for the first time. For a long, long time, Atlético seemed to win the only European cup it was still missing. Godín had taken care of 0-1 in the 36th minute, and that score remained on the scoreboard for a long time. For a very long time in fact, because when the 90th minute came, nobody cared about Real Madrid’s chances anymore. Until Sergio Ramos headed in the 1-1 in extra time. The tired Colchoneros gave up in extra time. After Gareth Bale made it 2-1 in the 110th minute, it was over. Marcelo and Ronaldo even made it 4-1, making Real Madrid the best in Europe again after twelve years.
2021: Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid 2-0
In December 2021 it was finally time again. After the Corona epidemic, Santiago Bernabéu was finally filled with fans again for the Derbi Madrileño. Even though not all seats could be filled due to the renovation of the stadium, the atmosphere was old-fashioned sweltering. For national champions Atlético, the game was the last chance to stay in the title race. After all, they were already ten points behind Real Madrid. But for the third year in a row, Los Blancos proved too strong. Benzema quickly made it 1-0 with a nice volley. After the break, Asensio made it 2-0. The victory was never jeopardised and placed Real Madrid in a seat for the 2022 league title.
Facts about Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid
- The first official meeting between the two rivals took place on December 2, 1906. The game at the Campeonato Regional Centro ended in a 1-1 draw.
- When the Spanish League was founded in 1928, both Madrid clubs were founding members of La Liga. The first league meeting took place on February 24, 1929 at Real Madrid’s Chamartín Stadium. The home team won 2-1. Both goals were scored by Monchin Triana, who came over from Atlético the year before.
- In its own Estadio Bernabéu, Real Madrid still reigns supreme in El Derbi Madrileño. Los Blancos have won 55 times, and lost only 15 games. The game ended in a draw 15 times. The goal difference is also in favour of Real Madrid with 162-94.
- The last ten meetings in Bernabéu (until the 2021/22) season have ended four times in a win for Real Madrid. Three times it was a draw and Atlético also won three times. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 Los Colchoneros won three times in a row.
- The last three encounters up to and including the 2021/22 season were won by Real Madrid. Since 2016, Atlético has not been able to win in the Bernabéu.
- Sergio Ramos is the player with the most derbies to his name. Ramos took on Atlético no fewer than 43 times, with his goal in the last minute of the Champions League final in 2014 being the highlight.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored the most goals for Real Madrid in the derby: he found the net no fewer than 22 times. Ronaldo is followed by Alfredo Di Stefano (17) and Raul (15).
- Atlético Madrid regularly worried about Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese was a constant scourge for the club. In addition to his 22 goals in the Derbi Madrileño, Ronaldo won both Champions League finals against Atlético in 2014 and 2016. In 2017, when the two clubs faced each other in the semi-finals of the Champions League, he decided the two-way battle with a hat-trick. Ronaldo was also a nightmare for Atlético in the Juventus shirt. In 2019 he ensured the elimination of the Rojiblancos in the eighth final of the Champions League with another hat-trick.
Players that played for both clubs
Despite the rivalry between the fellow townspeople, there are more than forty players who have played for both Madrid clubs. Many transfers caused little commotion; after all, the transfer between Real and Atlético is less fraught than a transfer between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Hostilities arose only with the transfer of major players, who were very popular with the fans.
The most famous player to make the switch was Hugo Sánchez. The Mexican was immensely popular with the fans due to his many goals. When it became known that the striker would make the switch to Real Madrid, that love quickly waned. Sánchez played the last game in the cup final against Athletic Bilbao. Although it was won 2-0 and Sanchez scored both goals, he was constantly whistled and called a ‘money wolf’. “This is the saddest day of my life, I did not expect this. My transfer to Real Madrid is good for everyone,” the Mexican said afterwards. Atlético indeed desperately needed the money to avert bankruptcy.
The German Bernd Schuster took the opposite route. After two years at Real Madrid, his transfer to Atlético caused much less fuss. Earlier, the German had also made the switch from FC Barcelona to Real Madrid, which led to considerably more protests. After his career, Schuster could therefore be appointed as coach of Real Madrid without any problems.
Perhaps the most surprising name is Santiago Bernabeu, the most influential man in Real Madrid’s history. Bernabéu was president from 1943 to 1978 and led Los Blancos to the world top during that period. In the 1920s, the attacker played more than 200 matches for Real Madrid, but in between he also played one year at Atlético. Although he only played 1 official game, this fact is forgotten as soon as possible by the fans of the Royal One.
Today, Theo Hernández is the most famous player who switched clubs. Together with his brother Lucas, he played in all Atlético youth teams. In 2017 he moved to the Royal One for €30 million. It was not a success, because despite a six-year contract, he left after two years to go to Italy to play for AC Milan.
Santiago Bernabéu during the Derbi Madrileño
When Atlético Madrid visits the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, you can blindly assume that the stadium is completely sold out. Certainly since the arrival of Diego Simeone to Atlético in 2011, the Derbi Madrileño has risen enormously in prestige. The Argentine trainer managed to bring the Rojiblancos back to the top, which has only increased the rivalry between the fellow townspeople.
The football temple has been completely renovated in the past two years, which cost about €600 million. The club was smart enough to let the work take place during the Corona epidemic. Since there was no public welcome anyway, it was easy to move to the small stadium near the training complex. In the meantime great changes could be made to Bernabéu.
The home ase of Real is equipped with a state-of-the-art video screen and the capacity has increased to 85,000. In addition, the stadium is equipped with a retractable roof, which can be closed within 15 minutes. The field can now also be moved under one of the stands. As a result, tennis and basketball matches can also be held, as well as trade fairs and conferences. From the outside, the stadium features lights that constantly change colour, just like Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. Finally, the club museum has also been expanded considerably.
Practical information
The stadium is easily accessible with metro line 10. In the centre of the city, get on at the Plaza de España or Príncipe Pío stations. Then get off at Santiago Bernabéu station. Many fans get off two stops later. They then walk to the stadium via the Plaza de Castilla stop.
Stadium tour Santiago Bernabéu
What you definitely should not miss, is a tour through the renovated Bernabéu. As long as the renovation is not completed, the tour consists of a visit to the Real Madrid museum, which includes the largest trophy cabinet in the world. Here you will also find the thirteen Champions League cups that have been won. In addition, from the second floor you have a great panoramic view of the entire stadium. Prices are €15 for adults and €12 for children. It is recommended to book online. From 2023 it will also be possible to book a tour of the stadium again.
Do you want tob e a witness of Real Madrid – Atlético Madrid yourself?
Where do the Real Madrid fans party, eat and drink?
Before and after the match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, you naturally want to experience as much as possible of the derby atmosphere in the city. Now the pre-game festivities in Madrid are not as big as in Germany or England. Many Real Madrid fans have a season ticket and go straight from home to the stadium. Yet you can experience enough of the atmosphere in the streets around the stadium.
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is located on Paseo de la Castellana, one of the city’s main arteries. Especially north of Bernabéu you will find many cafes and restaurants. It is therefore advisable not to travel directly to the stadium with metro line 10, but to get off two stops later at the Plaza Castilla stop. Most fans walk the mile from here to the stadium, stopping for a snack and a drink along the way. Churros in all possible variants and ham sandwiches are a favourite with the Spaniards. The Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones, the square located 200 meters from the stadium, is also a popular meeting place for Real fans.
If you do not feel like a quick bite, but you want a tasty meal before you go to the game, restaurant Asador Donostiarra is the most suitable place. The restaurant is a fifteen minute walk from the stadium and is the favourite haunt of the Real Madrid players. Here you will also find the Wall of Fame: a wall completely covered with photos of Real Madrid players during their visit to the restaurant. On another wall you will find the Atlético players. You have a good chance of encountering a famous player on non-match days. It is not a cheap restaurant by the way.
Venue for tributes
When Real Madrid has won a prize, it is celebrated at Plaza de Cibeles, about four kilometers south of Santiago Bernabéu. The shining centrepiece of the festivities is the huge Cibeles fountain. It is tradition that the statue of the Roman goddess Cybele is then wrapped in a Real Madrid flag. Celebrating a cup win or championship on this square is an experience you will not forget easily.