Just when everyone thought Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid can subdue their Madrid derby (El Derbi Madrileño) opponents Atlético Madrid in the Spanish La Liga to extend their perfect start to this season, Diego Simeone’s men shocked their archrivals with a 3-1 win at their home of Civitas Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid. Los Colchoneros managed to defeat the visiting Los Blancos thanks to a brace from 30-year-old striker Álvaro Morata and an effort from France’s vice captain Antoine Griezmann, demoting the team in famous white jerseys from the top position to the third-ranked team in the league table thus far.
233rd Madrid Derby Between Real and Atlético
Apart from the feisty North London Derby (Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur) happened in the English Premier League, last weekend’s European club football leagues also witnessed the 233rd meeting between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid at the latter’s home. Ancelotti was almost a happy man for this Madrid Derby encounter, when his priced forward Vinícius Jr. was in contention to return for his side, but only to be ruled out by gastroenteritis, whereas Simeone welcomed back club captain Koke to the team, after the 31-year-old recovered from his injury.
Determined to end their winless streak against arch-nemesis Real in the previous 14 meetings in the Madrid Derby, the home side opened the scoring less than 200 seconds into the game, courtesy of Morata’s strike. The 30-year-old Spanish forward had to thank Brazilian left-back Samuel Lino for his beautiful delivery into the penalty box, who was then headed in by Morata for his fourth goal in six matches this season. The former Real man showed no sympathy and celebrated his goal against his former club.
Did you know that Real Madrid’s new summer signing Jude Bellingham is one of only four players to have scored on his debuts for the club in the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League? The 20-year-old midfielder scored the winning goal for Los Blancos in his first Champions League game for the club last time around, feel free to dive into this article for further details.
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Real Could Not Recover From Atlético’s Early Advantage in the Madrid Derby
The first blood drawn by Simeone’s side soon escalated to become a second goal. Lino was again involved in Atlético’s goal in this match, after the 23-year-old found Saúl Ñíguez with a reverse pass. The once forgotten man then provided a delicious delivery to the dangerous zone and Griezmann was not going to miss the chance to double the home side’s advantage in the game. Griezmann’s header was only his second goal in the 2023/2024 Season.
The visiting Real Madrid had to ensure their archrivals’ lead are not further extended in this Madrid Derby, and they managed to pull one back 10 minutes before the first added time via veteran midfielder from Germany Toni Kroos. The 33-year-old received a rebounded ball just outside the box, followed by a fake and a gorgeous volley into the back of the net. There was nothing even a great like Jan Oblak could do to save Kroos’s long-ranged strike in the 35th minute.
Nevertheless, as soon as the game was resumed in the following period, the home side restored their two-goal cushion in the Madrid Derby. Incidentally, the attack came from the left flank once again, when the versatile Griezmann orchestrated Atlético’s buildup and sent the ball wide to Saúl at the left wing. The 28-year-old swung in a cross into the box, and Morata rose to convert the pass into a goal for his second against his ex-employers in this match. The 3-1 lead was maintained till the final whistle of this 233rd Madrid Derby between two Spanish La Liga powerhouses.
FT: Atlético 3-1 Madrid
Atleti end Madrid’s perfect start to La Liga ❌ pic.twitter.com/xAXfwMU2KZ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 24, 2023
Atlético Ended Real’s Perfect Start to the Season in the Madrid Derby
Real Madrid’s defeat in the hands of their arch-nemesis Atlético in the 233rd Madrid Derby has more than meets the eye; Not only the defeat means Ancelotti’s side has lost their perfect start in all competitions in 2023/2024, it also made Los Blancos offer the throne to another rivals Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga after six matchdays.
The 64-year-old’s Real Madrid will have a chance to get back to winning ways this midweek, as they set to host Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu for Matchday 7 of the Spanish La Liga, before a matchup against the current second-best team Girona at the latter’s home of Estadi Montilivi on Saturday. Use AsiaSport.com‘s livestream services if you wish to watch these matches at the comfort of your living room or other whereabouts. The plan subscription at the site will not require you to pay a single cent for its rich variety of products and services!
