By Somsundar Mishra
30th September 2018
30th September 2018
El Derbi Madrileño!
Real Madrid were held by their neighbors in an intense Madrid Derby. Both teams were neck to neck and the match ended goalless.
After the horrible display of defence in the previous match against Sevilla in Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, last night the team was much comfortable and defenders did their job. The star of Madrid defence was the new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with his two incredible off the line saves against Griezmann and Diego Costa to deny Atlético the lead.
The Los Blancos started the game well with some good buildups but failing to find any space to trouble the Atléti goalkeeper Jan Oblak, despite having the majority of possession (63% at the end of first half), there was no shot which made Oblak uncomfortable. A brilliant chance came in the first half when Toni Kroos scooped in at the far post and Bale connected it with a volley which was centimeters wide of the post. In the halftime, Bale was feeling a slight discomfort in his right groin and had to be subbed off for Dani Ceballos. With his introduction, the team was fluidic and more intense, troubling Atléti constantly and as usual they decided to sit back and wait for any counter-attacking opportunity which would make Griezmann/Costa one on one against Courtois. But with Ceballos, off the ball press was so much that Atlético were dispossessed many times. There were chances for Asensio to finish off the game, but Oblak knowing when to charge gave Asensio microseconds to think about his shot. Asensio also had a chance to lay off to Ceballos but decided to become the hero and went on to set up his shot but got blocked. There were chances but Atlético were disciplined in their defensive line and didn't give any space, especially in the final third. Also, crosses inside the box were well dealt with by the huge Rojiblancos defenders.
Overall the game was exciting and intense for the neutrals, the home supporters might arguing that Real Madrid should've won. The last few matches of this derby in Bernabeu have ended in a stalemate. Madrid have to be efficient in their scoring as the season progresses and chances of getting on the top of the league should not be missed like this.
After the horrible display of defence in the previous match against Sevilla in Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, last night the team was much comfortable and defenders did their job. The star of Madrid defence was the new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with his two incredible off the line saves against Griezmann and Diego Costa to deny Atlético the lead.
The Los Blancos started the game well with some good buildups but failing to find any space to trouble the Atléti goalkeeper Jan Oblak, despite having the majority of possession (63% at the end of first half), there was no shot which made Oblak uncomfortable. A brilliant chance came in the first half when Toni Kroos scooped in at the far post and Bale connected it with a volley which was centimeters wide of the post. In the halftime, Bale was feeling a slight discomfort in his right groin and had to be subbed off for Dani Ceballos. With his introduction, the team was fluidic and more intense, troubling Atléti constantly and as usual they decided to sit back and wait for any counter-attacking opportunity which would make Griezmann/Costa one on one against Courtois. But with Ceballos, off the ball press was so much that Atlético were dispossessed many times. There were chances for Asensio to finish off the game, but Oblak knowing when to charge gave Asensio microseconds to think about his shot. Asensio also had a chance to lay off to Ceballos but decided to become the hero and went on to set up his shot but got blocked. There were chances but Atlético were disciplined in their defensive line and didn't give any space, especially in the final third. Also, crosses inside the box were well dealt with by the huge Rojiblancos defenders.
Overall the game was exciting and intense for the neutrals, the home supporters might arguing that Real Madrid should've won. The last few matches of this derby in Bernabeu have ended in a stalemate. Madrid have to be efficient in their scoring as the season progresses and chances of getting on the top of the league should not be missed like this.
The team played great but lacked that final third efficiency. They're patient and are finding spaces, Courtois performed well which is a confidence boost to him, expectations are high. Gareth Bale's injury will be assessed and hopefully, it was just a precautionary sub-off and he'll be back soon. Meanwhile, it was Vinicius Jr.'s competitive debut for the first team, this great news got lost because of the sour result. We congratulate him and wish him he trains hard and earns a place in the first team!
¡Hala Madrid!
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