Atlético de Madrid faces one of the most complex runs of its calendar in the 2024-25 season, with the added pressure of the organization of the RFEF and LaLiga. The agenda has been altered by the need to bring forward matchday 23 of LaLiga for the four teams competing in the Spanish Super Cup, avoiding conflicts with the Copa del Rey and the tournament itself. As a result, the Colchonero club will have to play two LaLiga matches against FC Barcelona in just 23 days, something reminiscent of the intense duel phase of last season.
The first match will be held on November 8 at the Metropolitano, while the second will be played between December 2 and 4 at the Camp Nou. In addition, the Super Cup clash, which will be held on February 2 at the Fenerbahçe stadium, Turkey, adds a third meeting between both teams in a span of just two months. This situation creates a “marathon” of duels that tests the physical resistance and squad management of both clubs.
The situation is not new. In the 2025-26 season, Atlético and Barça faced each other three times within a period of two months. The Copa del Rey saw Atlético win 4‑0 in the semi-final in February, followed by a 3‑0 defeat in the second leg in March, which allowed them to advance to the final. In the Champions League, the teams met in the quarterfinals in April, with Atlético winning 2‑0 at the Camp Nou and then losing 2‑1 at the Metropolitano, but managing to advance to the next round.
With these three matches scheduled, Atlético will have to carefully manage its squad to maintain competitiveness both in the league and in European and national competitions. The next step will be preparing training and planning player rotation to ensure that the team is fit for critical duels. The schedule, although complicated, also offers opportunities for Atlético to demonstrate its strength against one of its biggest rivals.