Real Madrid came out on Sunday evening as the winner in the city derby against Atlético Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s team had enough for the victory in the Wanda Metropolitano, completed by Rodrygo and Federico Valverde. In the final phase, Mario Hermoso still scored on behalf of Atlético, but then Diego Simeone’s team was no longer dangerous: 1-2. Real Madrid has won all eight official duels this season, including six in LaLiga, and is therefore the leader. Atlético is disappointingly seventh.
Antoine Griezmann was the most striking name in the starting line-up of Atlético Madrid. The star player has so far only filled in due to provisions in the lease with Barcelona, but the dispute was settled last week. Benzema was still missing on the Real Madrid side. The Frenchman was replaced in the striker by Rodrygo, who was again flanked by Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde.
Wow, what a great opening goal! ?? Rodrgyo rounds off a perfect assist from Tchouaméni very well, worth a dance! ?? ?? Atletico Madrid – Real Madrid ? Now live! ?? Ziggo Sport (channel 14 & Select) #ZiggoSport #LaLiga #AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/HEFjFyr4q1
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 18, 2022
Atlético created the most danger immediately after kick-off. Felipe’s header went just over the crossbar, João Félix’s shot after a passed corner was blocked on the goal line. Real Madrid struck deadly after eighteen minutes. Rodrygo set up a combination with Aurelién Tchouaméni, who set him free in the penalty area with a beautiful bow ball. Rodrygo suddenly shot in hard from close range: 0-1.
Real Madrid were saved shortly afterwards by Thibaut Courtois, who just managed to put his fingertips on a hard long shot from Griezmann. Atlético gave away quite a bit of space in the rear, from which Real took advantage after 35 minutes. Vinícius broke through the defense after a one-two with Luka Modric on the left and shot the post after a long dribble via Jan Oblak’s foot. Valverde had walked through on the other side and was able to hit the rebound easily: 0-2.
Real Madrid crush fellow city rivals Atlético! ?? Los Blancos are unstoppable and thanks to Valverde double the margin: 2-0 ?? ?? Atletico Madrid – Real Madrid ? Now live! ?? Ziggo Sport (channel 14 & Select) #ZiggoSport #LaLiga #AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/QTN6lYyFT1
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 18, 2022
Atlético made a threatening shot attempt before half time via Yannick Carrasco, who hit Courtois’ foot in the short corner. In the second half, openings in Real’s defense proved extremely scarce. Simeone intervened after more than an hour by bringing in Álvaro Morata and Matheus Cunha. Atlético increased the pressure and scored from a corner in the 83rd minute. Courtois came out and fumbled, after which Éder Militão seemed to head the ball away. That came on the shoulder of Mario Hermoso, who fortunately scored: 2-1. The goalscorer received his second yellow card in the 91st minute for a push on Dani Ceballos, although the replay showed that the Real Madrid player was quite aggressive.