The Real Champs
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Real Madrid 1 – 1 Atlético Madrid: Three Takeaways from the Madrid Derby

By Alex McVey

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Pepe (L) of Real Madrid argue with Fernando Torres of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 8, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Pepe (L) of Real Madrid argue with Fernando Torres of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 8, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by fotopress/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

The Best and the Worst of Real Madrid

This match put the best and the worst of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid on display. Madrid looked strong going forward, with Ronaldo and Benzema linking up well and some excellent midfield play by Kroos and Modrić in particular.

Ronaldo was incredibly unlucky to not have buried the shot that Savic headed off the line heroically.

Yet this team is nevertheless plagued by defensive lapses. Sergio Ramos nearly played Griezmann in for a goal. Casemiro continues to show problems under intense pressure, giving the ball away sloppily in dangerous areas.

Griezmann ended up equalizing by cutting Madrid’s back-line apart, based in part on a lapse by Nacho.

Real Madrid has managed to pull down some impressive results this season, but its rare that the team remains focused and intense for a full 90 minutes. That ambivalent tendency was on full display in the Madrid derby.

Madrid needs to work on their ability to stay focused and see out big games if they want to get through this tough April schedule.

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