Atlético – Real Madrid (1-1): the notes of the match!

Real Madrid travel to their rival Atlético to play a first derbi this season, during the 8th day of La Liga. Ancelotti’s men return to Valdebebas with the draw point after experiencing another last-second equalizer against Simeone’s side.

Scorers: Correa (94th) 1-1 Militão (64th)

Thibaut Courtois (6/10) : a very good match from the Real Madrid goalkeeper until Correa’s goal. He made some fantastic saves, including a big late strike from Samuel Lino. In line with his teammates, a very solid performance. On the goal, he was fooled, but like any human, he is not infallible.

Dani Carvajal (7/10) : the Spanish full-back had the perfect match: intensity, anticipation, recoveries and successful tackles. As a whole, Real Madrid’s right side was very solid defensively.

Antonio Rüdiger (6/10) : facing the German defender is like fighting against a bear in a forest. Always a hassle. Rüdiger was tough in the duel and was very fair in the air. A meeting in the standings of his level, despite the fact that he was at fault on Correa’s goal, being the player covering the Argentinian.

Éder Militão (6/10) : he was the hero of the match until the 94th minute. The Brazilian paved the way to victory for Real Madrid. Well positioned in the area after Vini’s cross, Militão did not hesitate to unleash a cannonball into Oblak’s cage. However, it was not enough for Real Madrid to win, especially since they, along with Rüdiger, were at fault on the opposing goal by not having been able to anticipate Correa’s departure behind his back. Very unfortunate.

Ferland Mendy (5/10) : a match without more for the Frenchman. As is often the case, he did not contribute more than that offensively, even when he found himself in a good position in the second half in the opposing area. Unfortunately, he missed his hook. Defensively, he held his own.

Aurélien Tchouaméni (4/10) : another performance below the rest of his team from the Real Madrid sentry. On the positive side, again good cleanliness in the duels and a well-thought-out placement. But with a ball, what a bore to watch the former Bordeaux player evolve. He gives the impression of never playing forward and, what’s more, he missed simple passes in this match, where he is usually clean.

Federico Valverde (7/10) : the Uruguayan’s performance is exactly what we ask of an impact player in a derbi. He was a threat on Oblak’s cage by daring to try his luck in this closed match. The Real Madrid hawk achieved everything in his match. He showed great cleanliness in passing in the opposing camp and a percentage of successful passes (92%) which does credit to his number 8. Finally, in terms of intensity, he was the one who showed the most hungry, by collecting 9 balloons, allowing you to blow your own several times.

Luka Modrić (6/10) : very available during a very closed first half, the Real Madrid captain used all his experience to be in the right place at the right time and in particular to exploit the right half-space, often left empty by his teammates. He also shone with the quality of his set pieces, and was the one who had the idea to offset Vinicius Jr. on Militão’s goal.

Jude Bellingham (8/10) : we know the players who swallow space, Jude Bellingham swallows freedom. The one left by his coach in an offensive and complete role allows him to show off everything he knows how to do. And he can do everything. Be rigorous in pressing, solid in duels to win the midfield battle, be creative in the last 40 meters and bring danger and excess into the area. This is Jude Bellingham under Carlo Ancelotti. A player who is close to beingman of the match at each meeting, and who is today.

Rodrygo Goes (5/10) : the only goal ball he had ended up above Oblak’s cage. It’s hard to come down on a player for a single action, but a perfect ball in a close match is not a bargain. Beyond this action, Rodrygo was inside with no successful dribbling, a glaring lack of inspiration in his offensive movements. “Offensive” because defensively, he is Real Madrid’s first defender and was invaluable in pressing to suffocate the Colchoneros.

Vinicius Jr. (6/10) : successful match under pressure for the future Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian didn’t make the Colchoneros dance every time he took the ball but knew how to sting when necessary, and particularly on the action of Militao’s goal where he was the decisive passer. Diligent and serious in pressing, he allowed Real Madrid to stay high and force Atlético to swing rather than seeing them build as in certain derbies last season.

Carlo Ancelotti (3/10) : The Real Madrid coach aligned his starting eleven, trusting Modric in the midfield rather than a Camavinga who was too fair or an Arda Güler who was too blue. The return of the 4-4-2 diamond was inevitable with the absence of Kylian Mbappé for 3 matches and the Italian tactician’s game plan worked until his changes. He abandoned his good pressing which bothered the Colochoneros to play Cholismo with six defenders on the pitch. If we go back too far, we fall (again) backwards. Damage.

Endrick (entered in the 87th minute in place of Rodrygo) : Not rated.

Lucas Vazquez (entered in the 87th minute in place of Vinicius): Not rated.

Fran Garcia (entered in the 90th minute in place of Rodrygo) : Not rated.

Pablo Gallego (for defenders and goalkeeper) & Guillaume Pomade (for attackers, midfielders and coach)