Morten Hjulmand has highlighted Atlético Madrid’s experienced core as the key to handling the pressure of the Madrid derby, stressing the importance of captain Koke, goalkeeper Jan Oblak and the club’s long-serving players ahead of Sunday’s clash with Real Madrid.
Speaking to FanCode, the Danish midfielder said Atlético’s veterans are “used to dealing with these kinds of games and this kind of pressure” and that their guidance is essential for newer squad members facing their first derby. “They are good to share advice with other players because they experienced it themselves. So, of course, when they open their mouths, you listen to what they have to say,” Hjulmand said.
Hjulmand acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by Real Madrid’s attacking quality, but insisted Atlético must remain tactically disciplined and avoid giving away cheap possession in transition. He said the team’s focus is on defensive organisation and limiting the spaces that Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior look to exploit.
Diego Simeone has echoed that message, telling his new signings to stay calm and confident under the unique pressure of the Metropolitano. “Calm, above all, calm,” Simeone said. “There is a word that is security. If you are confident in what you do, it can go wrong or bad, but it is the way.”
Atlético’s dressing room blends that veteran leadership with several players experiencing the Madrid derby for the first time, including Hjulmand himself, Lee Kang-in, Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David. Simeone has relied on Koke and Oblak to help settle the newer arrivals, while the coaching staff have worked to transmit their own experience of high-stakes fixtures.
For Hjulmand, the priority is to provide stability and balance in midfield, a role he sees as crucial in neutralising the intensity of the duels expected throughout the 90 minutes. He said the guidance from Koke, Oblak and the rest of the experienced spine gives Atlético the best chance of maintaining collective focus when the occasion reaches its most demanding moments.
