Diego Simeone urges Atletico Madrid’s new players to stay calm in derby

Diego Simeone has been here before. Fifty-one times before, to be precise. But for several of his players, Saturday’s Madrid derby will be their first taste of a rivalry that can define careers or shatter confidence in 90 minutes. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on September 19, 2026, the Atletico Madrid manager delivered a message that was equal parts reassurance and instruction: stay calm, trust your talent, and don’t let the occasion swallow you whole. A new-look squad meets an old rivalry Atletico spent roughly €125 million this summer reshaping their squad. Cristian Romero, Morten Hjulmand, Kang-in Lee, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Jonathan David all arrived as part of a significant overhaul designed to keep the club competitive at the top of La Liga and in European competition. Simeone acknowledged the unique cocktail of excitement and anxiety that derby day produces, particularly for players experiencing it for the first time. His prescription was straightforward: combine individual quality with collective security. Simeone’s derby legacy When Simeone took over Atletico in 2011, the club’s relationship with Real Madrid could generously be described as lopsided. Fifteen...