Athletic resistance prevents the League for Real Madrid (1-1)

Unable to withstand the intensity required by big matches, blaming the effort on a gray day in which their great references did not appear, Real Madrid left the League on a platter to Barcelona, ​​in a derby that rewarded the resistance of Atlético, punished with a rigorous expulsion in Correa and holding its good dynamics thanks to the leader who did appear, Antonio Griezmann.

In the derby tension and a little brightness. The first part is gifted, and the second effervescent. With Carlo Ancelotti’s false plan and Diego Simeone’s tactical diversity prized, depending on the match, the face changed. Real Madrid is physically unable to maintain the fight for all competitions. Atlético had the personality to defend well and strike a blow in the numerical inferiority that calmed Álvaro Rodríguez’s final goal in an afternoon of no return.

With the danger of committing the sin of self-sufficiency, Real Madrid speculated in the first act to wear their opponents down to punish them with the physicality of their bench depth in the second act. Atlético de Madrid, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu in full swing, did not have the offensive support to capitalize on their moments of dominance. Unproductive because it didn’t concern Courtois. With the test, Marcos Llorente on top, which lasted as long as it took Vinícius to face Nahuelo.

It was the best possible scenario to confirm the reaction of the red and whites. He is already fully involved in the forced fight, the one for placement in the Champions League. It is late because it deprived him of a further trip to the Champions League that owes him a dance and incomplete due to the lack of offensive resources that created uncertainty in the contemplative moments of Real Madrid.

Ancelotti surprised everyone with his bet on an outnumbered midfield and no specialist in the destruction zone. That’s where Kroos came in, but it was Dani Ceballos who took over the derby to change the direction of the wind and prevent a repeat of the Cup final scenario. With little, Real Madrid managed to make Atlético feel dangerous. Especially in the poisoned left leg of Marco Asensi, which Oblak took out as best he could before the zigzag path. Inaccurate Benzema in the center with too much power between the Militão lines.

Two actions that added the appearance of Vinícius and the invitation to an individual duel with Nahuel Molina, caused Simeone’s tactical retouch in the 17th minute. Llorente left the lead to help on the right wing to help the Brazilian brand, Saúl dropped to the left and Carrasco began to enjoy the freedom of movement. His was the most dangerous shot. With the fifth, simply for Courtois to stretch.

Simeone read Ancelotti’s intentions. He gives up possession and punishes the counterattack with his trident. The only time he managed to run, Vini appeared in the middle lane and Asensio didn’t need his shot. The penalty for defeat was avoided by defending five. Atlético took cover, as if a tie was good in their fight. Even more so when he lost Reinild to an ugly knee gesture that weakened his left side. Without Reguilón. With Mario Hermos as the first option.

In the absence of precision and enough will to persistently attack the opponent, inaccuracies in the last meters in the offensive phase of Madrid’s attack anesthetized the pulse until the second act. When Simeone established the audacity of Barrios to try to gain respect from rivals with the presence of Correa up top.

The need of Real Madrid, sensing the escape of the League in their next breakthrough, made them increase the tempo and the giddiness. It was time for him to show if he had the legs after the wear and tear at Anfield. And since the answer was not positive, Ancelotti went to plan b: Camavinga, Tchouaméni and Modrić at once.

And only when there could be a nice exchange of blows after Griezmann’s shot against the post and Fede Valverde’s response, came the action that characterized the derby. Gil Manzano punished Rüdiger with an elbow from Correa. Nothing that yellow wouldn’t solve and that feeds the legend of the referee against Atlético after another misunderstanding.

With everything against him, locked in his box ready to defend, the leader of Atlético de Madrid appeared in time. After winning Rojiblanco’s heart again based on attitude and commitment, Griezmann took a perfect free-kick in a race with the faith of Giménez. He passed in front of everyone and with a header into the net iced the Bernabéa.

The league was lost, and the offensive Real Madrid references did not appear. Benzema, unknown, Vinícius, exhausted. All that remained was an epic for the team that didn’t kick in the second half, and in the 84th they cautioned Oblak.. First Tchouaméni, then Camaving until he headed in the corner with Modrić’s music the dream of his life youth team Álvaro Rodríguez. Help in El Sadar. His first goal at the Bernabéu fueled hopes of a new comeback which did not happen on that occasion, and makes it impossible to fight for the League. Barcelona has it on a plate.

Technical document

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal (Lucas Vázquez, min 83), Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho (Álvaro Rodríguez, min 77); Kroos (Tchoumaéni, min 63), Dani Ceballos (Modrić, min 63), Fede Valverde; Marco Asensio (Camavinga, min 63), Vinícius and Benzema.

Atletico Madrid: Cloud; Nahuel Molina, Savić, Mario Hermoso, Reinildo (Giménez, min 23); Pablo Barrios (Correa, min 46), Koke Resurrection (Witsel, min 76), Saúl Ñíguez (Morata, min 76), Yannick Carrasco; Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente (Lemar, min. 57).

Goals: 0-1, min 78: Giménez, 1-1, min 85: Álvaro Rodríguez.

Referee: Gil Manzano (College of Extremadura). He warned Militão (7), Nacho (56) and Modrić (90) for Real Madrid; and Koke (22), Marcos Llorente (35) and Nahuel (70) for Atlético de Madrid. He turned off Correa after 64 minutes.

Incidents: The match corresponding to the 23rd round of the First League, played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in front of 64,721 spectators. Amanci Amar was honored with an emotional minute of silence. Two large banners with his image in the stands and a legend on the south bottom with the legend ‘Hero madridista’, with the shirt occupying the center of the pitch with the number 7 of all titles won at the Bernabéu pitch.