Real Madrid ease to derby make an impression on Atletico
Real Madrid reignited their La Liga title push in Saturday beating leaders Atletico 2-0 as their city rivals suffered a first league defeat of the season.
Real, who salvaged their Champions League campaign in midweek by making the last 16, moved to third on the table, three tips behind Atletico.
It was a disappointing night for Diego Simeone's side who had boasted a 26-match unbeaten run in the group, stretching back again to February.
That was a run which contains 17 wins and nine draws. Real had been the last crew to beat Atletico in the group.
"We verified the improvement we demonstrated in lots of areas against Sevilla and Borussia, and gave another very good display," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane, reflecting on his side's wins during the past week that have helped move around the season.
"There happen to be criticisms that hurt, but they also cause you to stronger."
"We competed perfectly from minute one before end, we must be happy with work very well done."
His group were in the front after a quarter-hour when Casemiro headed home a corner from Toni Kroos.
That was reward for Real's early pressure which had seen Karim Benzema denied by an excellent preserve from Jan Oblak occasions earlier.
Atletico, who also made the Champions Little league knockout round found in midweek, struggled to create any impression and star striker Luis Suarez was a great anonymous figure up front.
Real went 2-0 up after 63 moments with Kroos again the provider.
His move eventually fell for Dani Carvajal who unleashed a 30-metre get which hit the post but was diverted in to the net by the helpless Oblak.
The 'keeper was credited with an own-target for his troubles.
It had been only the fourth aim conceded by the usually water-tight Atletico defence in 11 group games this season.
- 'That hurts' -
It was a nights frustration with Simeone's men managing just one single shot on target.
"We didn't possess the courage to attack, we now have to job and improve."
"They were better. They were forceful, precise, so when they had their chance, they put them away," said the Argentine.
"We can have a undesirable game, we are able to. That hurts, yes it hurts."
Egos too were hurting.
Portuguese star Joao Felix showed his displeasure at being replaced by Saul on the hour.
Suarez allowed himself an ironic smile when he as well was benched towards Geoffrey Kondogbia found in the 73rd minute.
"Joao Felix, if he plays, he really wants to contribute additional, he really wants to finish the 90 moments," said Simeone.
"But I can't make clear his behaviour."
In stark contrast, Zidane could be especially delighted for Casemiro who had returned from Covid-19 quarantine while Carvajal had recovered from the right leg injury.
It was a night to keep in mind also for captain Sergio Ramos who was simply playing in a good Madrid derby for the 43rd time.
Atletico, meanwhile, could lose major spot on Sunday when second-placed Real Sociedad welcome Eibar.
Barcelona are also in action on Sunday against Levante and you will be under intense scrutiny.
Barca are found in such disarray that they need a victory just to steady the ship after a morale-sapping 3-0 defeat to Juventus found in the Champions League.
The Catalans nonetheless qualified going back 16, but as group runners-up Lionel Messi and his teammates risk drawing among Europe's big names.
Following the tumultuous summer which almost observed Messi depart, Barca and new coach Ronald Koeman by no means seem to be to have recovered.
They sit an unaccustomed ninth in the table with simply 14 points from 10 games. They are 12 items behind leaders Atletico.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said a good win against modest Levante, who've just three points fewer than the Catalans, was imperative.
"Found in La Liga we aren't where you want to be but we can claw back some things and this is the aim within the next few weeks.
"We're playing in the home and we can not afford to drop an individual point now."
