Matches between the two teams have frequently been hotly contested over the decades, embodying the intense nature often found in sibling rivalries. An iconic 6-6 draw in LALIGA in January 1950 featured Moroccan-born Larbi Benbarek among the scorers in a dramatic last-minute comeback by Atlético de Madrid. A significant victory occurred for Athletic Club in October 1982, securing a 4-1 win at San Mamés with 10 men, paving the way for their triumph in that season’s LALIGA title. Notably, a 2-1 triumph at San Mamés in April 2014 has been recognized by current Atleti coach Diego Simeone as the pivotal moment when he realized his team had the prowess to claim that season’s LALIGA crown.

The founding of Athletic Club de Madrid in April 1903 by Basque supporters of Athletic Club de Bilbao is where the current Atlético de Madrid got its start. Studying in the capital of Spain, these founders wanted to maintain the relationship with their staff. Athletic Club de Madrid’s colors were logically taken from their “parent” club, which had been founded five years earlier. Both teams started off with blue and white checkered shirts before switching to their famous red and white stripes in 1911. This move was made possible by the purchase of jerseys that were originally made for the English team Southampton.

During their early years, the two Athletic clubs were so close that direct meetings were not allowed in official contests. A player exchange also occurred; for the 1911 Copa del Rey final, Madrid’s outstanding forward Manuel Garnica Serrano was “loaned” to the Basques. He scored the game-winning goal against CD Espanyol of Barcelona in a remarkable effort.

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During the course of formalization and professionalization, the relationship between the two Athletics weakened. The Bilbao team defeated their Madrid rivals 4-1 in San Mamés in 1921 to secure their place in the national tournament. By the time they both joined LALIGA as founder members in the 1928–1929 season, total autonomy was well-established. The first-ever Premier League match took place at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on April 7, 1929, with the visiting team winning 3-2.

Over the years, the two have often engaged in intense competitions that have mirrored the intensity typical of sometimes-escalating sibling rivalries. Larbi Benbarek, a Moroccan-born player, scored in a famous 6-6 draw in LALIGA in January 1950. This resulted in a remarkable last-minute comeback by Atlético de Madrid. Even though they were down to 10 men, Athletic Club’s 4-1 victory at San Mamés in October 1982 proved crucial in helping them win the LALIGA that season. Diego Simeone, the current coach of Atleti, highlighted the significance of a 2-1 victory at San Mamés in April 2014, saying it was the moment he understood his squad had what it took to win the LALIGA championship that season.

Notable meetings have also occurred in other events. Athletic Club defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the 1956 Copa del Rey final. Furthermore, in the only meeting between the two rojiblanco teams in UEFA play to date, Atlético de Madrid defeated them both 3-0 in the 2011–12 Europa League final in Bucharest.

The teams’ relationships endure to this day. From 2006 to 2011, José María Amorrortu, a former athletic director of Athletic Club, was Atlético de Madrid’s academy director. He worked with current first-team players like Koke throughout his time there. After relocating to the north, Amorrortu was instrumental in assisting the development of young Basque players like Iñaki Williams and Iker Muniain.

Raúl García, who currently wears the Athletic Club jersey, played 216 LALIGA games with Atlético de Madrid between 2007 and 2015. The Pamplona-born midfielder is one of the few who has scored for both sides in this matchup after scoring a memorable goal in a 1-1 draw at San Mamés a few seasons back.

This Saturday at San Mamés, the family rivalry continues when Simeone’s team visits Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club for a pivotal LALIGA match. Even while supporters and athletes from both teams are excited about the event, the three important factors at stake will overshadow the importance of prior relationships.