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In the first round, Atlético lost to Real by one goal. It showed itself to be a cowardly team, not ambitious. Already in the new calendar year, several times “cushion” played against an opponent, thus questioning his own ability to win the championship. But one of the most important exams of the season was today. Defeat – and the “Real” with “Barça” would be only two points away; a drawing in the style of a turtle (head within a shell) – there would be questions about future prospects and the possibility of reaching the finish line first thanks to ancient resources. Only a victory could be a worthy claim for the championship.
After her, the “Atlético” and left immediately with the starting whistle. This time Diego Simeone did not invent anything, he did not fear anyone, but he played from a position of strength. At least the first half was carried out along these lines. Atlético held the ball longer, developed more interesting and varied attacks, showed speed and intensity. At the end of time, the “Real” had more shots on goal, but no more chances to score. And most importantly, he was behind on the bill.
Raising their defensive line high, Real Madrid faced a deadly counterattack. Nacho made an entry error and let Llorente escape down the right wing. The former “Real” player started this race in his own half of the field, so Suárez had enough time to evaluate the situation and choose the ideal position to open up to the transfer. And so it happened: a pass, the exit of Luis at the gate and a shot in front of Courtois.
Furthermore, Atlético had no other real scoring opportunities. Luis Suárez in one of the episodes struck from outside the penalty area too weak. But “Real” didn’t even bother with that. Just a hit from Casemiro, forcing the Clouds to come to a stop. The rest: landslides from the side and Benzema’s unsuccessful attempts to catch the ball and hit.
And the entire crowd of guests demanded a penalty for putting the ball into Felipe’s hand after a corner kick. But the referee correctly guessed that the Atlético player lowered his hand at the moment of contact with the ball with a prohibited part of the body. Real Madrid did not receive any gifts.
You had to get it yourself. Therefore, “Real” actively started the 45-minute second. With a blow to Nacho’s head. But to that, Atlético responded with the correct reaction, fast and powerful counterattacks, which were barely stopped by Courtois. Thibaut covered the ball after hitting Suárez from close range, then won the duel against Ferreira Carrasco, and Llorente’s shot was inaccurate. Atlético were clearly closer to the second goal than Real Madrid to the first. However, the tension in the party still persisted.
It even grew: the blows of Valverde and Benzema reminded that Real Madrid should not be buried prematurely in this fight. And that Diego Simeone has suffered more than once from the rival’s late comebacks. So this time … The real turning point for “Real” took place in the 80th minute, when Kroos and Vinicius led Benzema to shock position, but he hit the goalkeeper closely. And when he finished it he made the same mistake. Or maybe we should say another way: Cloud played perfectly. He stopped Karim’s free kick. But then it failed when Casemiro and Benzema cut the Atlético defense together. The Frenchman fired through an almost empty goal and scored.
An interesting match, a natural result. Neither team deserved to be defeated. Each one kept his own. Is that the “Barça” in victory. He is now two points ahead of Real Madrid and three points behind Atlético. But with a reserve match for Diego Simeone. Everything is not decided yet.
Photo – La Liga
Madrid. Stadium: “Wanda Metropolitano”
Athletic – Real 1: 1
Goals: Luis Suarez 15 – Karim Benzema 88
Athletic: Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente, Luis Suarez, Toma Lemar (Saul Niguez 57), Angel Correa (Geoffrey Kondogbia 82), Stefan Savic, Augusto Felipe, Koke, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (João Felix 64), Mario Hermoso, Chiran
“True”: Thibaut Courtois, Rafael Varane, Jose Ignacio Nacho, Tony Kroos, Karim Benzema, Carlos Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez, Luca Modric, Ferlan Mendi, Marco Asensio (Federico Valverde 60), Rodrigo Silva (Vinicius Junior 60)
Warnings: Yannick Ferreira Carrasco 64, Angel Correa 72, João Felix 80, Stefan Savic 90, Marcos Llorente 90 + 2 – Rafael Varane 67
