Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid fought to a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu. Alex McVey gives you three key takeaways from the Madrid Derby.
The Madrid Derby Lived up to the Hype
Real Madrid fans once had the hubris to taunt Atletico Madrid fans with a banner reading: “Wanted: a worthy rival for a decent derby.”
Recuerdan aquella pancarta que decía "Se busca rival digno para derby decente...". A desempolvarla. #AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/VnVtWV1r2l
— Javier Urrea (@JavierUrreaC) February 7, 2015
Certainly these fans have to regret having tempted the fates.
As an excellent article from Tim Collins details, Atletico have become something of a bogey team for Real Madrid in recent years, with Madrid struggling to defeat their cross-town rivals in nearly every competition… except the Champions League, wherein Real Madrid have won two finals against Atletico.
This fall, Zidane was able to do what Ancelotti struggled to do during his tenure at Madrid, and defeated Simeone’s Atletico Madrid 3-0 at the Calderon.
This back-and-forth between the two sides from Madrid, along with the close La Liga title race, made this Madrid Derby a much hyped event.
Madrid Derby Day. Is it the biggest Derby in European football right now? Quite possibly...
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) April 8, 2017
It’s fair to say this match lived up to the hype. From a neutral perspective, this was a great match to watch.
There was lots of scintillating attacking play, with both sides putting up a total of 30 shots in the game (according to WhoScored). Real was unlucky not to have been up by more early-on, but an outstanding overall performance by Jan Oblak and Savic’s last ditch effort to clear Ronaldo’s shot out of the empty net it off the line kept Real off the scoresheet.
A Pepe header in what might be his last Madrid derby and a late Antoine Griezmann break-through saw the Madrid rivals level at the end of a well-fought match.
The match was tough and physical, as Madrid Derbies often are, but avoided descending into the dirty tricks and melodramatic theatrics that often are present when Los Blancos face off against Los Colchoneros.
While Real fans may feel hard done, having seen some impressive play throughout much of the match, both sides will probably feel as if a point is an acceptable result.