In-form Atlético Madrid welcome in reeling Oviedo to the Metropolitano on Saturday in a 9:00 p.m. local kickoff.
Atlético (8-4-1, 28 points) enter this match riding a six-game winning streak across all competitions, and the Rojiblancos are unbeaten in their last twelve outings in LaLiga. Fresh off a dramatic and intense midweek Champions League match, where José María Giménez headed Atlético to victory, Diego Simeone’s side will be favored in its first top-flight meeting with Oviedo for more than 25 years. With a win and favorable results elsewhere, Atlético could climb as high as second place ahead of a difficult run of games in December.
Newly promoted Oviedo (2-3-8, 9 points) have not won in any competition since September 30 against Valencia. The Asturian club also suffered a particularly painful Copa del Rey exit at the hands of third-tier side Ourense. All told, it has been far from a dream return to top-flight football for Los Azules.
BILBAO, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 09: Aaron Escandell of Real Oviedo in action during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Real Oviedo at Estadio de San Mames on November 09, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Getty Images
Scoring has been a major issue for Oviedo, with just seven total goals this season, three of which came in a single match against Girona last month. In LaLiga, Los Godos have been held scoreless nine times already. David Carmo and Javi López, new signings from Nottingham Forest and Real Sociedad respectively, have performed respectably in defense so far, while Aarón Escandell has been one of the competition’s best goalkeepers so far.
Atlético on Saturday will be without the services of Robin Le Normand and Marcos Llorente. Some positive news on that front is that Le Normand and Jan Oblak are both back training with the team, and Oblak has a chance to play after a two-game absence.
Simeone though should be able to confidently turn to Juan Musso, who delivered an impressive midweek performance in place of the six-time Zamora Trophy winner — who may well rest up for the midweek trip to Barcelona.
The right-back position remains more of a question mark. Nahuel Molina’s current form does not really justify significant minutes; Marc Pubill, who came on in the second half in the match against Inter Milan, looked extremely comfortable on the right-hand side. Combine that with Giuliano Simeone’s relentless tracking back and defensive support, and you have the makings of a strong partnership on that flank.
Madrid, Spain – November 26: Marc Pubill of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Another area that remains in question is the left-hand side. Matteo Ruggeri looked solid in his minutes, and Nico González also appeared competent, mostly defensively, against Inter. What’s missing from the attacking formula is a legitimate, consistent threat to put pressure on the opposition’s right flank.
Both Thiago Almada and Álex Baena still seem to be working out their best roles in this team. Baena has appeared all over the midfield line and partnered Julián Alvarez at times; Almada has been tried as a makeshift winger and an attacking midfielder, but he hasn’t played in the past two games. This would be the perfect match for them to take command of things in the final third.
Possible 11: Musso; Pubill, Giménez, Hancko, Ruggeri; Cardoso, Barrios, Almada, Giuliano; Baena, Sørloth.
Atlético de Madrid hold a 32-17-23 all-time record against Real Oviedo in LaLiga. In their last 10 league meetings, Atlético have recorded a 5-3-2 record against Oviedo; don’t read too much into that figure though, as the clubs last crossed paths in LaLiga during the 1999/00 season, one of the darkest years in the club’s history.
The match in question, held on May 7, 2000, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Joan Capdevila scoring two late goals to equalize. But they were unable to prevent Atlético from suffering relegation that day.
Most recently, the clubs faced off in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 in January 2023. Atlético, donning those hideous red-and-white wavy home shirts, left Oviedo with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Llorente and Pablo Barrios.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Club legend Luis Aragonés, Radomir Antić, Horaţiu Moldovan (sort of), Ibrahima Baldé and Borja Bastón.
