Atlético de Madrid travels to face Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday, 2026, seeking recovery after consecutive defeats against Athletic Bilbao and Liverpool. Manager Diego Simeone navigates squad injuries and lingering Copa del Rey disappointment as both teams sit level on seven points in the table.
Atlético de Madrid returns to domestic action following a challenging week that exposed vulnerabilities on both domestic and European fronts. Diego Simeone’s side heads to San Sebastián to face Real Sociedad at a time when the capital club needs to recapture early-season momentum. The Red and Whites sit sixth in the La Liga table on seven points, level with their weekend opponents but trailing league leaders Barcelona by five points. Atletico lead the overall head-to-head record between the two sides, winning 80 of their 165 meetings in all competitions, suffering 48 defeats in the process.
Recent Struggles and European Setbacks for Diego Simeone’s Squad
The current road trip marks Atlético’s fourth consecutive match away from home. While the stretch opened with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sevilla, momentum quickly stalled. A 3-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga last weekend preceded a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield. Despite taking an early lead through Marcos Llorente against the Premier League side, Liverpool managed to turn the match around to hand the capital team a second successive loss. Atletico made a solid start to the 2026-27 campaign, picking up seven points from their opening three league matches against Malaga, Villarreal and Sevilla.
Squad rotation and fitness concerns compound the challenge for the visitors. Pablo Barrios is ruled out due to a right leg injury expected to sideline him for the next three matches, including the upcoming derby against Real Madrid. Alexander Sørloth remains a doubt due to a calf issue that has kept him out since before the campaign began. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez is expected to feature in the starting lineup as he looks to move past an offseason transfer saga, supported in the final third by Alex Baena and Lee Kang-in. Arnau Ortiz will be available after missing the Liverpool match due to a suspension that dated back to August 2024, when he was playing in Poland.
Real Sociedad’s Transformation Under Pellegrino Matarazzo
Real Sociedad enters Sunday’s fixture carrying positive momentum after a turbulent start to the 2026-27 campaign. After opening the season with back-to-back defeats against Real Betis and Real Madrid, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side has steadied its domestic form. The Basque outfit recently secured a chaotic 4-3 victory over Elche, fueled by a late contribution from Luka Sučić. Real Sociedad have a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats from their five La Liga matches this season, with seven points leaving them in ninth spot in the division.
Pellegrino Matarazzo took charge in December when the club hovered near the bottom of the standings, eventually guiding them to a Copa del Rey triumph against Atlético Madrid and qualification for the Europa League and Supercopa de España. That cup final victory still resonates within both camps, leaving lingering frustration among Atlético players who believed the trophy was theirs for the taking. Real Sociedad finished 10th in La Liga last season, but they have managed to qualify for the 2026-27 Europa League league phase due to their Europa League success.
Squad Changes and Personnel Shortages in San Sebastián
Both sides must manage significant personnel absences for Sunday’s clash. Real Sociedad will be without 20-year-old defender Jon Martín, who received a red card during the match against Elche at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. Álvaro Odriozola and Pablo Marín also remain sidelined through injury, while Pablo Marin needs to be assessed.
Real Sociedad’s roster underwent substantial turnover during the transfer window. Incoming reinforcements include defenders Mamadou Sarr on loan from Chelsea and former Barcelona full-back Héctor Fort, brought in to support the back line following departures such as Brais Méndez to the Columbus Crew and Aritz Elustondo to PAOK. Other departures include Carlos Fernández and Mikel Goti to Real Oviedo, Javi López to Feyenoord, Jon Karrikaburu to Burgos, and Mikel Rodríguez to Alavés, while Duje Ćaleta-Car and Wesley Gassova also returned to their parent clubs after their loan spells expired.
Formula One Partnerships and Off-Pitch Developments
Away from the pitch, Atlético Madrid has engaged in notable commercial activities. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is set to serve as a central support venue for the upcoming Formula 1 Gran Premio de España at the MADRING circuit. The stadium will function as a transportation hub with shuttle services connecting supporters to the circuit, while also hosting fan activations, hospitality areas, and the weekend’s main concert as part of the club’s role as the official Local Event Supporter.
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