Liga: Real Madrid without Mbappé must settle for a draw against Atlético in a crazy Derbi Madrid

This is the shock of this 8th day of La Liga. Atlético de Madrid hosted Real Madrid on the pitch at the Wanda Metropolitano this Sunday evening. An always special match between two local rivals in this electric derby of the Spanish capital After the defeat of the leader FC Barcelona against Osasuna, the two clubs had the objective of accumulating points by winning this meeting to get closer to the first place in the standings and also prepare for the Champions League matches in the coming week. To do this and in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, Carlo Ancelotti aligned his 4-4-2 from last year with an attack made up of Vinicius and Rodrygo. Luka Modric animated the Madrid midfield with Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham at number 10. On the Colchoneros side, Antoine Griezmann started in attack with Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth.

Despite this great performance on paper, the first period was very slow and poor in opportunities. Atlético and Real Madrid did not decide between themselves and did not take advantage of Barcelona’s misstep against Osasuna. However, there were some interesting opportunities. Julian Alvarez was sent deep, cleared Antonio Rüdiger on the left before sending a shot from the left, deflected by Thibaut Courtois (9th). While the Merengues still had not found the target after 20 minutes, Federico Valverde sent a heavy shot from the right of the entrance to the area pushed back for a corner by Jan Oblak (18th). On the following corner taken by Luka Modric at the far post, Aurélien Tchouaméni tried to smash his header before hitting from the right, again deflected by Oblak above (19th). On a full-axis free kick from 35 meters, Federico Valverde tried again from afar with a big shot which grazed Oblak’s left post (27th). Blank and tasteless score at the break.

A completely crazy end to the match

The return from the locker room was not the most attractive. Indeed, at the hour mark, both teams had only two shots on target each. After a combination from a corner between Modric and Valverde, the Croatian crossed back for Rodrygo who curled his shot but it went over Oblak’s crossbar (51st). Real Madrid created very few chances in this second period and spent their time in defense until an almost surprising awakening. Indeed, Vinicius obtained a good free kick 35 meters in the center following a foul by Robin Le Normand. On the free kick played for two, Vinicius rushed to the left and then crossed at the far post towards Militão who deceived Oblak with power (65th, 0-1). So the Merengues open the score in a very closed and unexciting match where there was little to get their teeth into. Everything then came to a head when Thibaut Courtois received projectiles on the head. Bottles, sandwiches, fries, bags filled with excrement… The game was stopped, Courtois removed the objects from the field and informed the stadium announcer.

Tempers flared between Courtois and Koke because the Real Madrid goalkeeper refused to clear the ball as long as he was receiving projectiles. The two teams then returned to the locker room because of the projectiles thrown at Courtois. The Atlético players and Diego Simeone went to see the supporters to calm them down. After a ten-minute stoppage, the match was able to resume. Samuel Lino provoked on the left side, entered the area against Militao and Carvajal before unleashing a good shot from the right… Well repelled for a corner by Courtois (82nd). The Belgian goalkeeper saved his team again later (90th+3), while Griezmann had already made his bar vibrate (90th+1). All of Diego Simeone’s players pushed and it was rewarded. On a good through ball from Galan, Angel Correa appeared alone against Courtois and struck. Militao gave him the ball again and he pushed it into the back of the net. Marcos Llorente was then excluded (90th + 9). No winner in this Derbi Madrid (1-1).