What Is the Madrid Derby Called?

By Anna Duncan

The Madrid Derby is one of the most highly anticipated matches in Spanish football. It is the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in Spain. The rivalry between these two teams is intense, with both sides eager to come out on top.

What Is the Madrid Derby Called?

The Madrid Derby is also known as El Derbi Madrileño or simply El Derbi. The term “derby” refers to a local rivalry between two teams from the same city or region. In this case, it’s Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both based in the city of Madrid.

The History of El Derbi Madrileño

The first official match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid took place on February 21, 1929. It ended in a 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid. Since then, these two teams have faced each other numerous times in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and European competitions.

Over the years, both clubs have experienced their fair share of victories and defeats against each other. However, it was during the 1950s when Real Madrid dominated Spanish football that they established their superiority over Atletico Madrid.

In recent years though, Atletico has become a force to be reckoned with under manager Diego Simeone. They have won La Liga twice and have also reached two Champions League finals since he took over in 2011.

The Significance of El Derbi Madrileño

El Derbi Madrileño holds great significance for both sets of fans as well as for Spanish football as a whole. It’s not just about bragging rights; it’s about asserting dominance over your local rivals.

For Real Madrid fans, beating Atletico is a matter of pride. The same goes for Atleti supporters who see a win against Real Madrid as a statement of intent. The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu or the Wanda Metropolitano is electric on match days, with both sets of fans creating a hostile environment for the opposition.

Conclusion

The Madrid Derby, or El Derbi Madrileño, is a fiercely contested local rivalry between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. It’s a match that holds great significance for both sets of fans and has produced some unforgettable moments over the years.

Whether it’s Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory for Real Madrid or Diego Forlan netting two goals to help Atletico win the Europa League final, there’s never a shortage of drama when these two teams meet.