Real Madrid crushed Atletico Madrid’s pride in the Madrid derby with a 2-0 scoreline at home to the league leaders. The defending champions scored in each half courtesy of a Casemiro header and a Jan Oblak own goal.
The Whites pressed Atleti down from the first whistle to last and gave the visiting side absolutely no room to breathe. Diego Simeone’s side were chasing shadows for a vast majority of the fixture and seemed to be no match for a pumped up and motivated Real Madrid side.
Casemiro capitalised in the first half from an Atletico Madrid slip up from a set piece situation. The monstrous midfielder was left completely unmarked inside the penalty box from a corner and paid the price for it dearly. As the second half commenced, Diego Simeone approached his bench and made a triple substitution.
Not much changed for Atleti in the second half, and they seemed to be short of ideas and creativity. Carvajal sweetly struck the ball on the volley, and it hit the woodwork only to rebound into Jan Oblak and across the goal line. Real Madrid had a firm grip on the encounter after doubling their lead. Here’s how Real Madrid rated in their 2-0 Madrid derby win.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 8/10
The Belgian stood tall and strong in front of goal and deservedly earned his third clean-sheet on the bounce. Courtois made a couple of decisive saves in the second half.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 8/10
The Spaniard had a splendid return from injury and gave Atleti a run for their money down the right-hand side. Carvajal’s sizzling strike in the second half allowed Real to take a two-goal lead in the encounter after Oblak put it past the line.
CB: Raphael Varane – 7/10
Varane was calm and composed as ever in defence. The World Cup winner put in a commanding display.
CB: Sergio Ramos – 7/10
An imposing performance by Sergio Ramos in defence tonight. Ramos, along with his troops, was successful in completely shutting down the Atletico attacking three of Carasco, Felix and Suarez in the first half.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 7/10
A rock-solid display in defence for Mendy. The Frenchman was a dominating presence in the defensive half and kept the Atleti attack at bay throughout the tie.
CM: Luka Modric – 8/10
Luka Modric seems to be ageing like wine. The Croatian was pivotal in midfield for Real Madrid and ran havoc on the Atleti side with his trickery and presence of mind.
CM: Casemiro – 9/10
The Brazilian carried about his job with relative ease. Casemiro was guilty of a foul on Felix in the first half and picked up a caution from the referee for his troubles. The midfielder deservedly earned the Man of the Match award for his opening goal of the night and industrious display in the centre of the park.
CM: Toni Kroos – 8/10
The German was right on the top of his game against Deigo Simeone’s side. Kroos showed exemplary passing skills as he sprayed the ball across the pitch with pinpoint precision. The midfield maestro assisted Casemiro’s opening goal of the fixture.
RW: Lucas Vasquez – 7/10
Lucas put in a hard shift in attack and was later moved to the defensive-minded right back position once Carvajal was substituted in the second half.
ST: Karim Benzema – 7/10
A pleasant evening for Benzema in the Spanish capital despite not getting onto the scoresheet. The French attacker nearly scored the opening goal of the day from a splendid left-foot strike in the opening minutes of the fixture.
LW: Vinicius Jr – 8/10
The Brazilian displayed great work ethics throughout his stay at the pitch as he dropped deep to assist the defence time and again. Vinicius made way for Marco Asensio in the second half.
Substitutes
LW: Marco Asensio – 7/10
A lively appearance from Asensio in the final 20 minutes or so. The Spaniard made a few dangerous runs down the left-hand side.
RW: Rodrygo – 6/10
The Brazilian did not have much involvement with play post coming on.
CM: Federico Valverde – 6/10
Did not have much involvement with play post coming on for Luka Modric.
