Real vs. Atletico: Winners and Losers from Madrid Derby Game

The 2-0 victory against Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Jan. 7 put Atletico Madrid in pole position for their second-leg Copa del Rey encounter Thursday.

Real Madrid clearly wanted to get back into the tie and maintain the momentum of the win over Espanyol, as they arguably fielded their strongest possible lineup with the exception of Iker Casillas.

Atletico were not taking anything for granted either, and Diego Simeone illustrated the fact he knew Los Blancos were capable of overturning the result with his own selection.

It led to a fascinating encounter, rife with winners and losers.

Winner: Antoine Griezmann

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It's taken awhile for Antoine Griezmann to adapt to life with Atletico, but the forward is improving on a weekly basis.

The Frenchman has become a versatile member of Simeone's forward line, whether it's out wide, in a central winger role or as a striker.

His pace is a lethal weapon that can expose high defences or push them further back so Mario Mandzukic can use his aerial prowess.

He also provides a counter-attacking threat and is increasingly showing an ability to break down more rigid structures.

The 23-year-old added two assists to his five goals in the previous four matches.

Loser: Pepe

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Pepe's awful mistake allowed Griezmann to break away inside the first minute of the game, and it was unduly punished.

The Portuguese defender was made to look a fool again when Fernando Torres expertly sent him flying in the opposite direction before coolly slotting home his second.

His misery was confounded further when he left the match clutching his ribs on the hour mark.

Pepe was in some distress as he walked around the pitch, and even the heartwarming gesture from Simeone did little to appease his manner.

This could open the door for Raphael Varane to take Pepe's place, and on this evidence, Real Madrid are unlikely to accept any advances from the English Premier League.

Winner: Diego Godin

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He may not have made the FIFA Team of the Year in Zurich, but Diego Godin again proved why he's one of the most sought-after centre-backs in world football—although his brilliance was exaggerated by Pepe's and Sergio Ramos' indifferent displays at the opposite end.

Alongside him, Miranda started his first match in a month, and it's a credit to Godin's organisational skills that he not only aided the Brazilian's return, but ensured his absence hasn't been missed.

He had a difficult time against Barcelona's sublime attacking trio last weekend; however, he will get the opportunity to rectify this in the next round of the competition.

Juanma Trueba of AS wrote of the Atletico defence, noting, "From the fifth minute to the end of the first half, (Real) Madrid put in motion a suffocating, sustained siege."

He added, "So constant was the bombardment, the strikers ended up hypnotised at the capacity of the red and white defenders to clear the balls they sent in. That’s the only way the repetitive, at times obsessive, tactic can be explained."

Winner: Fernando Torres

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It could hardly have gone better for Fernando Torres, as he scored a brace against the archrivals.

The striker had never scored at the Bernabeu and had won only once previously when a Yossi Benayoun goal gave victory for Rafael Benitez's Liverpool.

This was a statement from the forward that he was far from finished, whilst the knowledge that he's still to regain full fitness after not playing the whole of December will give him the confidence to push on.

Back in 2011, then-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted, "I really wanted Torres for this squad. I asked for Torres," via Dave Kidd of the Mirror.

The move never worked out, but this homecoming will hopefully give Torres the impetus to enjoy his football once again.

He will never return to his world-beating best, although his second goal was like the Torres of old.

Atletico head coach Diego Simeone was quoted by BBC Sport as saying, "He left, matured and is now a man. I am very pleased for him. The fans are happy and his arrival has been good for us even though some had their doubts."