Antoine Griezmann faces derby benching amid form struggles

Diego Simeone faces a major selection call ahead of Atletico Madrd’s derby showdown with Real Madrid today.

On the back of a draining 3-2 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano in midweek, Los Rojblancos have a short recovery window, ahead of hosting Los Blancos at 16:15 local time today.

Simeone is expected to change both shape and personnel with wing back duo Nahuel Molna and Javi Galan dropped, a back four reinstated, and Giuliano Simeone and Nico Gonzalez brought into the wide midfield spots.

The reversal to a more conventional defensive unit could also see Clement Lenglet come in for Conor Gallagher but the big call comes in attack.

Giacomo Raspapdori and Alexander Sorloth are waiting in the wings if Simeone choses to drop Antoine Griezmann from the starting line up.

Griezmann is already far and away Atletico Madrid’s record goal scorer with 198 scored in red and white but he is currently in the middle of his worst ever run of form in front of goal.

Image via Angel Martinez / Getty Images

With no goals or assists so far in 2025/26, Griezmann is now without a goal in1,161 minutes of league action stretched across 22 games from last season.

However, history and experience counts in his favour, with nine derby goals against Real Madid making him the top derby finisher.

The sense is Simeone will stick by the Frenchman as the vital link between midfield and attack but he is unlikely to complete 90 minutes with Sorloth and Raspadori both options to bring on late in the game.

That will throw more focus on Julian Alvarez but Simeone’s fellow Argentinian has shown he can step up as needed.

He scored two goals in four meetings with Real Madrid in his debut 2024/25 season and after a hat trick in the win over Rayo, he is on to four league goals for the season so far.