Liga: resilient, Atlético de Madrid hangs Real Madrid on the gong

For the globalized football community, this Sunday evening was THE event not to be missed. In addition to the OL-OM and Inter-Juventus clashes, Spain was also the scene of a tantalizing duel between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid. Already leaders of the championship, the Merengues maintained their lead despite their draw (1-1), the result of a hackneyed meeting which was nevertheless controlled for a long time. If the first clear opportunity of the meeting was however to be credited to a veteran of the house, Alvaro Morata, whose shot was finally repelled by Lunin (8th), it was indeed a surprise guest who launched the hostilities: Brahim Diaz.

Started at short notice to replace Vinicius, affected during the warm-up, the Spaniard was at the conclusion of a game of billiards and adjusted Oblak with a flat left foot (19th). Hit but not defeated, the Colchoneros responded a few moments later through Stefan Savic (23rd). On a cross from Griezmann, the Montenegrin saw his head flirt with Lunin’s post, stuck on his line. A simple flash in the pan? Certainly, since the most frank situations were then to be attributed to Real Madrid. Vazquez, for example, had the possibility of knocking out the Colchoneros but was beating around the bush. Rather than serve Bellingham, alone at the penalty spot, the full-back opted for the personal option and saw his shot die in Oblak’s small outside net.

Real Madrid spoils its meeting

Returning from the locker room, Diego Simeone’s players were very close to showering a melting Santiago-Bernabeu. With Antoine Griezmann at the start of the chain, again, Savic thought he would equalize with a header but was ultimately flagged offside (48th). More stunning than dominating, the Colchoneros suffered from the opposing incursions led by Bellingham and Valverde. We also thought Carlo Ancelotti’s players would benefit from two penalties, one on the stainless Vazquez, hooked by Saul (53rd), the other on Bellingham, unbalanced by Savic (60th), but Sánchez Martínez did not flinch .

Yawning spaces opened up more and more, Brahim Diaz and Valverde constantly rushing into them. The first, one of the best Madrilenians on the pitch this evening, was very close to scoring a double (70th). Electric, confusing, fanciful but devilishly effective, the former Manchester City player left Hermoso on the floor, then Witsel, but this time his shot escaped Oblak’s post. In a relatively lively end to the match, this time it was Griezmann’s turn to shine. When receiving a cross from Correa, the Frenchman saw his madjer bounce off Lunin’s chest. But resilient, the Colchoneros equalized unexpectedly thanks to the flair of Marcos Llorente on the gong (90+3rd). A micro-careless error with huge consequences. With this result, Real Madrid (58 points) cannot outrun Girona (56 points). Atlético is in 4th position but is getting closer to Barça.