Long ahead, Real Madrid was held in check this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu by its neighbor Atlético de Madrid (1-1) at the end of the 23rd day. Brahim Diaz quickly opened the scoring for the Merengue in the 22nd minute of play, but Marcos Llorente equalized in stoppage time for Atlético (90th 3). The day after the draw (0-0) conceded by Girona (2nd, 56 pts) against Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti’s team, which remains on six consecutive victories in the league, is still two points ahead at the top of La Liga. The Colchoneros, who had won their last five meetings in all competitions, are 4th, two points behind FC Barcelona (3rd, 50 pts).
Jude Bellingham and his teammates can bite their fingers. Dominant and rather sovereign during this lively derby, they dropped two precious points in added time, six days before the clash at the top against the surprise Girona (next Saturday, 6:30 p.m.). Even without Vinicius, absent at the last minute due to muscle pain, Real undermined its neighbor, offering a technically accomplished performance. A score symbolized by the surprise guest and replacement for Vinicius, Brahim Diaz, close scorer (1-0, 22nd) and detonator of numerous offensives. The right side of the Merengue, with Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo drove Atlético crazy, who only took advantage of set pieces to worry Lunin. The latter, preferred to Kepa in the Real goal, won ahead of Morata and Witsel, proof that everything seemed to be going in the direction of the men in white in the first period.
This feeling was further strengthened upon returning from the locker room when Savic saw his header goal refused by the VAR, for an offside position by Saul Niguez (48th). A scare, only, for Real who quietly resumed their domination, carried by the imperial duo Kroos-Camavinga in the midfield. The only problem was that the break was never made on the Merengue side – Rodrygo notably came up against Oblak on the counter-attack – leaving hope for Diego Simeone’s Colchoneros. Until the end of added time and the opportunistic equalizer from Marcos Llorente, who frustrated Real Madrid for the third time this season.
It was in fact the fourth confrontation between the two Madrid neighbors this season, for a third draw. Antoine Griezmann, determined but lacking success this evening, and his gang won (3-1) in the first leg in La Liga last September and qualified (4-2 in overtime) during the round of 16 of the King’s Cup, on January 18 at the Wanda Metropolitano. Real’s victory dates back to January 10 during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. Again after extra time, the Merengue won 5-3. This time, there will not have been thirty additional minutes of play to decide between the enemies of the Spanish capital. Still leader of the championship, Real carries with it regrets, Atlético is happy to be content with this point gleaned away.