Atletico Madrid go into today’s Spanish Supercopa semi-final against city rivals Real Madrid with a noticeable edge, largely due to the absence of Real’s superstar forward Kylian Mbappé. The French forward has been ruled out of the clash in Jeddah because of a left knee sprain, a significant blow for Los Blancos just as they target their first trophy of 2026.
Mbappé’s explosive pace, goal threat and ability to unlock tight defences have been central to Real Madrid’s attacking identity this season. With him sidelined, Real lose not only one of their top scorers but also a key tactical outlet who can stretch Atletico’s compact shape. The 27-year-old had already missed recent matches due to the injury and was not included in the squad for the Supercopa, confirming his unavailability.
Atletico, under Diego Simeone, are renowned for their disciplined defensive structure and tactical stubbornness, traits that make them particularly tough to break down even when Madrid are at full strength. Facing a Real side without their main goal threat enhances Atletico’s chances of containing them and potentially exploiting transitions or set-piece situations. Atletico beat Real 5-2 in their last LaLiga derby, a result that underlines their capability to capitalise on lapses in focus and clinical finishing.
