Sørloth's Scoring Touch: Atlético's Derby Dominance Faces Resurgent Rayo Test

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April 24, 2025

Club Atlético de Madrid -  Rayo Vallecano

As the Madrid derby between Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano approaches at the Metropolitano on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Diego Simeone's side looks to maintain their historical dominance while overcoming recent derby struggles.

Atlético Madrid boasts an impressive 15-match unbeaten streak against their Madrid neighbors (12 wins, 3 draws), their longest such run against Rayo in LaLiga history. The Rojiblancos haven't tasted defeat against Rayo since February 2013, when they fell 1-2 at Vallecas.

However, recent form suggests potential vulnerability for Simeone's men. Atlético have failed to win any of their last three LaLiga derbies (1 draw, 2 losses), suffering as many defeats in these three matches as they had in their previous 25 encounters against Madrid-based sides (14 wins, 9 draws, 2 losses).

Their general form has also dipped lately, with Atlético losing three of their last six LaLiga matches (2 wins, 1 draw)—one more defeat than they've suffered in the rest of their season in the competition (16 wins, 8 draws, 2 losses across 26 games).

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, has historical precedent for optimism despite their typically poor away record against Atlético. The visitors have managed to collect just one point in their last 10 LaLiga visits to Atlético (1 draw, 9 losses), but they held Simeone's side to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting this season back in September 2024.

Should they avoid defeat on Thursday, Rayo would accomplish a rare feat, collecting points in both of their matches against Atlético in the same LaLiga season for only the second time in history. The only previous occurrence came in the 1999/2000 season (1 win, 1 draw).

Rayo's recent away form in Madrid derbies has shown improvement, with two wins in their last five LaLiga away derbies (1 draw, 2 losses), following a 15-match winless run in away fixtures against regional rivals (5 draws, 10 losses).

However, like their hosts, Rayo's overall recent form has been concerning. The visitors have won just one of their last nine LaLiga matches (3 draws, 5 losses), a stark contrast to their nine-match unbeaten run before that (5 wins, 4 draws).

One player particularly looking forward to this clash is Atlético striker Alexander Sørloth, who has found the net six times in six LaLiga matches against Rayo Vallecano—more than against any other opponent in the competition.

For Rayo, attacking midfielder Isi Palazón could achieve a personal milestone. Having scored in the first meeting between these sides this season, Palazón could become just the second Rayo player to score in both LaLiga matches against Atlético in the same season this century, following Léo Baptistão in 2012/13.

The Metropolitano has been a fortress for Simeone against Rayo, with the Argentinian coach winning seven of his eight home LaLiga matches against them (87.5% win rate). Only against Real Betis (91%), Granada (90%), and Osasuna (89%) does Simeone boast a better home winning percentage in LaLiga among opponents he's faced at least eight times (his record against Alavés also stands at 88%).

As these Madrid neighbors clash at the Metropolitano, Atlético's formidable historical record meets Rayo's hopes of a rare double-point season against their more illustrious city rivals in what promises to be an intriguing capital derby.

Thank you to OPTA for providing the statistical data.

Photo: source XYZ