Win first, then watch the Clásico

Atlético Madrid can keep the pressure on before Sunday’s Clásico when they host Deportivo La Coruña at the Metropolitano on Saturday 24 October. The matchday ten fixture kicks off at 19:00 UTC, or 20:00 in Brazzaville. A win would extend Atlético’s league winning run to six matches. Follow confirmed line-ups, the score and statistics in the Atlético–Deportivo match centre.

Diego Simeone’s side have twenty-two points from nine games, five behind Barcelona and one ahead of Real Madrid before this round. Those rivals meet on Sunday, so a Saturday victory would allow Atlético to bank their points before discovering what their competitors drop. Their final position for the weekend cannot be calculated yet.

Their last five league games brought wins against Real Sociedad, Osasuna, Real Madrid, Alavés and Espanyol. The 1–1 draw in Stuttgart ended the winning sequence across all competitions. Julián Álvarez scored there; at home, Atlético must turn that attacking threat into sustained collective control.

Three injured players are missing from the Madrid squad. The absences of Cristian Romero and Johnny Cardoso require adjustments in defence and midfield. Kang-in Lee is available in the squad after not getting playing time in Stuttgart.

Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman is among the attacking players called up. That does not establish whether he will start or how he will be used. Atlético need enough presence between the lines to move Deportivo’s defence while protecting themselves after losing possession. Plenty of the ball will not automatically produce clear chances.

The promoted visitors have eleven points and are winless in five league matches. Their last result was a 1–1 draw with Levante, with Cameroon forward Bil Nsongo scoring. Antonio Hidalgo’s side now need ways to sustain attacks against opponents who will try to keep them pinned back.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence reduces their attacking options. Yet judging their prospects only through that injury would overlook the importance of the first pass after regaining possession, support around the ball and the ability to carry play forward. Those details will help determine how many chances Deportivo can create.

Watch whether Atlético can press without opening themselves up, and whether Deportivo can escape pressure without immediately giving the ball back. The La Liga standings and SNA match centre connect the points at stake with what happens on the pitch.