Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Score, Grades and Reaction from La Liga Game
Atletico Madrid secured city bragging rights by claiming a 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Goals from Tiago Mendes and Arda Turan sandwiched a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, as the defending champions climbed to second in the Liga table behind Barcelona.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Real have for too long looked frail when defending set pieces, and it proved their Achilles' heel on 10 minutes.
The home side had plenty of players in the box, and Tiago was well marked, but Real simply failed to challenge him at a corner, and he nodded the ball home at the near post.
Real responded in decent fashion, and it took a fine diving save from keeper Miguel Angel Moya to keep out Gareth Bale’s wicked, swerving free-kick.
"What a save by Moya http://t.co/BNyYBhfo69
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) September 13, 2014"
The equaliser came Real’s way on 26 minutes. Ronaldo drove into the box and fell under challenge from Guilherme Siqueira, who made the mistake of sticking out a leg, and the Portuguese tumbled to the floor.
Ronaldo needed no second invitation, as he dusted himself down before stroking the ball into the bottom corner.
Benzema had a couple of chances to put Real ahead before the interval. The first effort bobbled wildly off his shin, while the second drew a fine save from Moya after great wing play from Ronaldo.
"Benzema really unlucky there... super header... excellent save from Moya...
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 13, 2014"
The second half lacked the intensity of the first, and Real boss Carlo Ancelotti turned to Javier Hernandez for his Liga debut.
The forward’s first impact of note was to pick up what looked a soft booking for a foul on Siqueira.
Atletico threw on a classy substitute of their own in Arda Turan, and he came close to snatching a winner initially. His drive with his right foot—after being handed too much space—flew inches wide of the target.
Turan had a second bite at the cherry 14 minutes from time and made no mistake.
A pull back by Juanfran was superbly dummied by Raul Garcia, which crafted enough space for Turan to take aim and fire a low shot into the corner.
Real failed to find a response and will now head into European action on the back of two defeats on the spin.
No team has ever successfully defended the Champions League, so Real are looking to make history. They kick off against Swiss side Basel, and anything less than three points will be a failure, especially given the money spent in the summer.
Grades
Cristiano Ronaldo: B-
The superlatives continue to pour in for Ronaldo—and deservedly so. He may not be at the peak of his powers on account of a knee injury, but he is still head and shoulders above most players in world football.
Karim Benzema: C-
The French forward has not been at his best of late and was out of luck again in front of goal. He was denied by one fine save from Moya but also made a hash of another chance as well.
Gareth Bale: C-
The Welsh wizard could not replicate his heroics for the national side in midweek. He kept working and demanding the ball, but it was not his night.
Juanfran: B+
The buccaneering full-back was at his best once again, and it was his excellent run and cross that crafted Atletico’s second goal.
Arda Turan: A
The Turkey star showed his importance to the Atletico cause with a brilliant 30-minute cameo. He scored the winner but fashioned a couple of other chances, and it was his appearance that shifted the balance of power.
Post-Match Reaction
Ancelotti felt his side paid the price for making mistakes, as reported by football writer Dermot Corrigan.
"Ancelotti "In this moment, we are paying for making small errors That happens sometimes in football, things dont go for you."
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 13, 2014"
