Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Winners and Losers from La Liga
Atletico Madrid boosted their own title hopes and all but ended those of Real Madrid with a 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Neither team had too many chances in the first half as tough challenges and poor passes were seen more often than clear opportunities inside the box, but after the break the game sparked to life. Cristiano Ronaldo fired wide shortly before Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring with a low finish. Saul and Ronaldo spurned further chances to add to the game's tally, and the single strike proved to be enough.
Here are our biggest winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Josema Gimenez
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An absolute monster performer at the back, Josema Gimenez was a standout for Atletico Madrid not just for his usual big challenges and aerial proficiency but also for his fantastic covering across the ground behind both full-backs.
He intercepted two very dangerous situations before Real could get shots away and was the calmer and more reliable head at the back this time, rather than Diego Godin.
Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez were all alternately nicely tucked away in Gimenez's pocket in the match.
Loser: James Rodriguez
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It was another start for the Colombian, but after his brief run of good form a few weeks ago, he has badly tailed off and was a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu in El Derbi.
James started the match on the right of the front three but frequently roamed across to the opposite flank, particularly during counter-attacks, but ultimately to no avail as he was quickly closed down and forced to either turn backward or surrender possession.
He was subbed shortly after the break as manager Zinedine Zidane turned instead to the likes of Jese and Lucas Vazquez as James and Isco failed to impact in breaking down Atleti's defence.
Winner: Antoine Griezmann
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French forward Griezmann had gone five Liga games without a goal before El Derbi but broke his duck with the winning goal—and at the same time he netted for the first time this season against a side in the top five.
Having previously seen his record questioned for not coming up with the goods in important matches, Griezmann's 13th league strike of the season—his 20th in all competitions—should give him confidence and help win over a few doubters of his big-game mentality and reliability, at least for now.
His work rate, dribbling on the counter and availability as an out-ball for Atleti was important throughout the game, relieving pressure at times and creating space for his team-mates.
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Ronaldo's work rate and movement from the game cannot be questioned, and it's notable that once Benzema and James left the field subbed, he was very much a leader in terms of directing play and showing team-mates where to move off the ball.
Even so, the two big chances Real managed to work during the game both fell his way—and he was found wanting in his finishing for once, dragging a straight-forward shot wide of the target when one-on-one with Jan Oblak and then planting an effort straight at the 'keeper when Dani Carvajal's cross found him for a free header.
In such big matches and against La Liga's best defence, a clinical edge means the difference between defeat and taking points, and Ronaldo was culpable on this occasion.
Winner: Diego Simeone
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Diego Simeone's team had been on a scoreless streak of late and had lost ground in the title fight, but this performance was right up there with their best of the season for both defensive endeavour and a tactical plan to break out and attack when the game allowed.
The Argentine manager was furiously ordering and directing his team from the touchline for most of the second half, but his team selection—Fernando Torres up front, Augusto recalled to midfield, Koke and Saul narrow from the sides—was spot-on, and the three points were just reward.
Cholo won't comment on his team's title hopes, but another big victory over Real Madrid re-establishes Atleti as the genuine challenger to Barcelona, and Los Rojiblancos will be in place to capitalise if the Catalan side do slip up.
