Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid: Winners and Losers from Liga Derby Game
Real Madrid missed the chance to take over at the top of the Primera Division after they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Karim Benzema's early goal seemed set to be enough for Rafa Benitez's Real side on the road, particularly after Atletico's Antoine Griezmann missed a first-half penalty.
However, the home team managed to avoid defeat at the Vicente Calderon thanks to a late equaliser from one of their substitutes.
Luciano Vietto popped up inside the area to score in the closing minutes, meaning honours finished even in the Spanish capital.
Per statistician OptaJose on Twitter, "Atletico have not lost any of their last five league derbies against Real Madrid, their longest run against them. Resistance."
As the dust settles and the players prepare to go away on international duty, B/R picks out the winners and losers.
Winner: Karim Benzema
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Karim Benzema has been a consistent scorer for Real Madrid this season, taking his tally to seven in eight matches in all competitions with a goal in the derby.
The Frenchman finished off a superb cross from Dani Carvajal, heading the ball beyond home goalkeeper Jan Oblak to give Real the lead inside eight minutes.
B/R’s Tim Collins explained in detail how 25 goals this season is a realistic aim for the striker—his early form makes that target seem achievable.
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
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It was a tough night for Cristiano Ronaldo, who again drew a blank in front of goal.
The Portuguese became Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer in midweek, his brace against Malmo in the Champions League taking him past Raul’s previous mark of 323 goals, according to the club.
However, he has found it a little harder to find the net in domestic action so far during the campaign.
He has scored five times in La Liga in the 2015/16 season. They all came in one game, though, which was a 6-0 hammering of Espanyol.
As Squawka Football revealed on Twitter, "Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in a La Liga match for the fourth game in a row for the first time since 2010."
For most forwards, that's just a bit of a lean spell. For Ronaldo, however, that's a goalscoring drought of epic proportions.
Winner: Keylor Navas
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Keylor Navas continues to make sure Real Madrid don’t regret the botched signing of David De Gea from Manchester United too much.
The goalkeeper was once again impressive in the derby draw, including saving Griezmann’s first-half penalty.
Guessing correctly, the Costa Rican palmed away the well-struck spot-kick. Per Opta Jose, he is the only goalkeeper "to have so far saved two penalties in La Liga this season."
Navas did eventually concede in the second half, though he made sure Real secured a point with a stunning tip around the post to keep out a shot from Jackson Martinez in the 90th minute.
So far he has give up just two goals in domestic action, both on the road.
Loser: Fernando Torres
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Fernando Torres’ wait for his 100th Atletico Madrid goal will go on for a little while longer.
The striker drew a blank in the derby before he was withdrawn just after the hour mark.
His best chance to bring up the century came in the second half, but he dragged a shot so wide that it ended up going out for a throw-in.
The performance of his replacement, Jackson Martinez, as well as another substitute, Vietto, will have given Atleti manager Diego Simeone plenty of food for thought.
He can digest it all over the upcoming international break—but will Torres keep his place when they return to action?
Winner: Atletico Madrid's Substitutes
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Martinez and Vietto both made an impact after being summoned from the bench in the second half.
Martinez set up the equalising goal with a powerful run down the left wing that left Alvaro Arbeloa for dust.
Griezmann flicked Martinez’s low cross beyond Real goalkeeper Navas at the front post, which allowed Vietto to poke the ball into an unguarded net.
The goal was the former Villarreal forward’s first since moving to Madrid in the summer transfer window.
As statistician MisterChip pointed out on Twitter, "At only 22 years of age, Vietto has already in La Liga vs. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid."
Loser: Real Madrid's Right-Backs
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Carvajal was superb when he was on the field for Real Madrid. The problem was, however, that he only lasted 41 minutes.
An injury cut short his participation. According to SocialRMadrid after the game, the player said, "I twisted my ankle in a play and I preferred not to risk further injury."
When he was out on the pitch, Carvajal was an excellent outlet for Real down the right wing. Indeed it was his cross that allowed Benzema to head the visitors in front.
Arbeloa replaced his fellow Spaniard, but he was never going to provide the same type of attacking threat.
He also found himself caught out for Atletico Madrid’s equaliser, allowing Martinez to escape past him and set up the home side’s goal.
