Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid delivered another edition of the Madrid derby this Saturday at Wanda Metropolitano. But unlike their pre-season match that ended with a 7-3 win for Los Colchoneros, this time witnessed a scrappy, tight affair. One that ended with no goals after 90 minutes, and with very little chances on both ends of the pitch.
The first half of the match was incredibly tight, although one of the first few chances came before the 10th minute mark. A long ball found Joao Felix and the Portuguese attacker marched down the right flank, but his effort went wide off Courtois’ right post. That play made fans believe this could have been a back-and-forth game, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth.
There were no significant chances right until the final 10 minutes of the first half, although these weren’t exactly “clear” scoring sequences, either. A low cross from Thomas Partey that didn’t find a receiver inside the box and a long-range shot from Toni Kroos easily deflected by Jan Oblak represented a spark on both ends of the pitch, but not much happened. The first half ended with a scoreless draw, although it seemed things would open up after the break.
Atletico made a substitution after the break when Angel Correa replaced Vitolo, and the Argentina international immediately made his presence felt with a header that went above the crossbar just three minutes after the break. Real Madrid responded with an effort from Gareth Bale, but the Welshman flew his attempt over the ball when he had acres of space inside the box around the 56th minute.
The rest of the match happened similar to the first half, as neither side managed to create much danger. There was one more chance for each side – Saul nodded the ball home over the bar in the 73rd minute, and Karim Benzema wasted a chance two minutes later when Oblak denied him.
There wasn’t much separating side each in this game, though. So, in the end, this thrilling Madrid derby ended with a scoreless draw. And it was a fair result considering how the match happened.
Match Report
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Giménez, Renan Lodi (Lemar, 61’); Vitolo (Correa, 46’), Thomas, Saúl, Koke; Diego Costa, Joao Félix (Marcos Llorente, 70’)
Subs not used: Adan (GK), Arias, Felipe, Herrera
Real Madrid: Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Nacho; Casemiro; Bale, Valverde (Modric, 68’), Kroos, Hazard (James, 77’); Benzema (Jovic, 88’)
Subs not used: Areola (GK), Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Júnior
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Thomas (ATM); Nacho, Varane (RM)
Red Cards: None
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