589 days later, Atlético Madrid are back in second place after winning the derby

Atlético Madrid are enjoying a particularly sweet hangover during the international break. Their derby win against Real Madrid did more than deliver three points against their eternal rival: it allowed them to overtake Los Blancos in the standings and settle into second place in LaLiga. Simeone's men are level on points with Real Betis and sit ahead on goal difference, five points behind a Barcelona side that has made a perfect start with a full run of victories.

• Atlético overtake Real Madrid in the table and move up to second, level on points with Real Betis.
• Simeone's team had not occupied second place since 8 February 2025: 589 days have passed.
• Barcelona lead the way with five points more than Atlético after winning every game so far.
• The side have taken points from tough away trips to the Sánchez Pizjuán, San Mamés and Anoeta, and hosted Real Madrid and Villarreal at home.

A second place that confirms Atlético's strong start in LaLiga

Being five points behind the leaders at this stage of the season is not a prize for a club with Atlético's ambitions, but it feels far better after beating Real Madrid and leaving them below in the table. The value of this moment goes beyond the three points: the derby win has boosted the confidence of a team determined to stay in the title race all season long.

The last time Atlético appeared second in the standings was on 8 February 2025, right after a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid. Exactly 589 days have passed since then. Last season, a poor start and a final stretch in which the team focused its energy on the Champions League and the Copa del Rey prevented Atlético from truly challenging for LaLiga.

How Atlético reach the international break: tough away games and two home matches against Champions League sides

Their current second place reflects the strength shown against a demanding schedule. Atlético have already visited traditionally difficult grounds such as the Sánchez Pizjuán, San Mamés and Anoeta: three away trips that require experience and character. They have also played at home against two Champions League-level opponents in Real Madrid and Villarreal, which adds even more weight to their numbers.

Atlético are the second best team in LaLiga alongside Real Betis after a schedule featuring three demanding away games and two home fixtures against Champions League sides.

Simeone has managed a start full of traps and turned the squad's competitiveness into points. That collective performance is behind a team looking upward with real arguments again, not only because of the win over Real Madrid but also because of the consistency shown week after week.

Simeone takes Atlético back to a position they have only finished in ten times

Finishing second in LaLiga is not a common outcome for Atlético Madrid. Across their entire history, the club has only ended a league campaign in second place on ten occasions. That shows how difficult it is to remain near the top in such a demanding competition, and it underlines the credit any season deserves when the team fights until the end for the leading positions.

That statistic helps put into perspective what it means to be back there even at this early stage of the campaign. When Atlético compete for LaLiga, they have historically alternated between first, second and third place, and each position ends up defining the narrative of the season. Now the goal is to keep this form going after the international break.

Five points behind an unstoppable Barcelona

The gap to the leaders stands at five points. Barcelona have started the season winning every match and are setting the pace in a league where any slip is costly. For Atlético, the key will be maintaining defensive reliability and continuing to pick up points in difficult settings, something they have already shown they can do in this opening stretch.

The derby against Real Madrid usually works as an emotional and competitive barometer. This time the reading is clear: Atlético enter the international break with reinforced self-esteem, a league position they had not occupied for 589 days, and the feeling that this project can genuinely stay in the upper reaches of the table.