Atlético Madrid treats Real to its first defeat this season in the city derby


Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 11:00 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 23:04

Atlético Madrid took a big step in LaLiga on Sunday evening. Coach Diego Simeone’s team was too strong for Real Madrid 3-1 in their own Civitas Metropolitano. Álvaro Morata hurt his ex-club a lot with two goals, while Saúl Ñíguez also excelled with two assists. Real already faced a double deficit in the eighteenth minute. Toni Kroos did something back in the first half, but after Morata’s striking header – less than a minute after the break – Real failed to achieve a remontada. Real, which was flawless in LaLiga until Sunday evening, drops to third place, while Atlético rises to fifth place.

Simeone had one change in store at the back compared to the Champions League match with Lazio (1-1). The place in the heart of the five-man defense was taken over by José Giménez from Axel Witsel; Koke was preferred to Pablo Barrios in midfield this time. At the same time, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti also sent a changed starting team onto the field. The midfield consisted of Federico Valverde, Kroos, Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga, leaving no room for Aurélien Tchouaméni, among others. Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo were stationed at the front.

Atlético really hit the starting blocks, because before the fourth minute of play had expired, the scoreboard showed a 1-0 score. Samuel Lino delivered a tailor-made cross to Morata, who finished excellently from close range. Fifteen minutes later the lead was doubled. Once again the danger came from the left flank, although this time it was Saúl who provided the cross. Antoine Griezmann was in the right place to score the 2-0. Ten minutes before the half-time signal, Real Madrid came back into the match. Kroos controlled the ball outside the sixteen-meter area, after which he made it 2-1 with a placed shot in the bottom left corner.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Atlético. Griezmann brought the ball to the left, where Saúl was ready to pass. He reached Morata, who escaped from Rüdiger’s back and headed in the 3-1. Real went on the hunt for the second goal of the evening. The Royal came close through Rodrygo, whose shot from close range was stopped by Stefan Savic. On the rebound, Tchouaméni shot narrowly wide. Atlético was waiting for the switch, while Real continued to look in vain for the 3-2. Brahim Díaz tried it from a difficult angle, which turned out to be a hopeless mission. Ten minutes before the end, Memphis entered the field for Morata, who received a standing ovation. Memphis was still close to 4-1 in injury time. However, the Oranje international’s shot zoomed about a meter and a half wide.

No. Team M W G V +/- Pnt
1 Barcelona 6 5 1 0 10 16
2 Girona 6 5 1 0 9 16
3 Real Madrid 5 5 0 0 7 15
4 Athletic Club 6 4 1 1 7 13
5 Valencia 6 3 1 2 3 10
6 Rayo Vallecano 6 3 1 2 -2 10
7 Real Sociedad 6 2 3 1 2 9
8 Cadiz 6 2 2 2 -2 8
9 Real Betis 6 2 2 2 -5 8
10 Atlético Madrid 4 2 1 1 6 7
11 Osasuna 6 2 1 3 -1 7
12 Villarreal 6 2 1 3 -2 7
13 Getafe 6 2 1 3 -3 7
14 Alaves 6 2 0 4 -4 6
15 Las Palmas 6 1 2 3 -2 5
16 Real Mallorca 6 1 2 3 -3 5
17 Seville 5 1 1 3 -2 4
18 Celta de Vigo 6 1 1 4 -4 4
19 Granada 6 1 0 5 -8 3
20 Almeria 6 0 2 4 -6 2