MADRID — Actual Madrid‘s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s derby means there is not any change on the high of the desk, with only one level nonetheless separating the 2 groups. Julián Álvarez‘s first-half penalty had Atletico hoping they may safe their first win on the Santiago Bernabéu since 2016, however Kylian Mbappé‘s equalizer early within the second half meant the guests needed to accept some extent.
Actual had the higher of the second half as each goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak, making essential late saves. Listed below are three speaking factors, after a consequence that leaves LaLiga’s title race huge open.
1. Penalty name means extra ammunition for ref debate
After all of the noise this week — the refereeing complaints, the open letters, the social media posts — it was time for the soccer. Or was it?
The build-up to this derby was dominated by Actual’s calls for for “structural reform” of refereeing, and Atletico’s critique of their rivals for placing officers below stress. So after all, when the sport started, it was no totally different.
Naturally, the highlight was on referee Cesar Soto Grado and his VAR colleague Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. There have been deafening whistles for each officers’ names after they have been learn out over the stadium tannoy, pre-match. The one query was: when would the primary huge resolution come? And would they get it proper?
For the primary half hour of the sport, little or no occurred: it was precisely the sport Atletico and Simeone needed, with not a lot soccer and treasured few probabilities. Then, that second of polémica (Spanish for “controversy”) arrived.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, as soon as once more enjoying out of place at centre-back, reached for the ball contained in the field and appears to catch Samuel Lino‘s foot together with his studs. An extended, drawn-out VAR verify adopted. Tchouameni had trodden on Lino’s foot, however by the point the contact got here, the ball had gone.
Referee Soto Grado got here throughout to verify the pitchside monitor, and because the stadium held its breath — or quite, whistled vociferously — he awarded a penalty that Julian Alvarez coolly transformed, chipping the ball down the center of the purpose. It was the primary penalty awarded in opposition to Actual Madrid all season in LaLiga, however that will not cease the incident being endlessly debated and cited.
At halftime, there have been extra whistles as Soto Grado walked off the pitch, however that was as a lot a mirrored image of fan frustration at Actual’s efficiency as something. Within the first half, that they had created little or no, with an xG (anticipated targets) of simply 0.23.
2. Mbappé leads the fightback to underline his bettering type
After the break, Actual Madrid seemed a distinct facet. It took simply 5 minutes within the second half for Mbappé to equalize, pouncing on the ball contained in the field, after Jude Bellingham‘s shot had been blocked by defender José María Giménez. Mbappé’s instinctive, assured end, struck exhausting into the bottom to bounce up and previous goalkeeper Jan Oblak, was considered one of a participant whose type continues to curve upwards.
The France star now has 23 targets in all competitions this season, with 9 of these coming already in 2025. Additional proof of his type might be seen within the pre-game as he briefly celebrated with LaLiga’s Participant of the Month award.
Mbappé is turning into considered one of this crew’s leaders, and his response to the purpose — racing again to the centre circle, hungry for extra — confirmed that.
The purpose was additionally a precursor to Madrid’s finest spell within the match. Moments later, Bellingham headed in opposition to the crossbar, reaching the ball only a fraction of a second forward of Mbappé. Madrid have been effectively on high, however Oblak saved Atletico within the recreation, weathering the storm. Later, Mbappé may have supplied the right finale, however he was denied by Oblak within the 89th minute; on the different finish, Courtois saved too in added time.
There have been doubts about whether or not Mbappé actually is “again” contemplating that his targets since Christmas have principally come in opposition to so-called lesser groups like Las Palmas, Salzburg and Actual Valladolid. That wasn’t the case right here, and with Manchester Metropolis developing within the Champions League, there can be two alternatives this month to place that concept to the take a look at.
3. A draw means both crew — or Barça — may nonetheless win LaLiga
A win for Actual Madrid on Saturday night time would have despatched them 4 factors clear on the high of the desk. It would not have been an insurmountable lead with 15 video games nonetheless to play, however it will have been a major one. However they could not full the job within the second half, and the draw means Atletico — who led the desk earlier than dropping factors in opposition to Leganés and Villarreal in January — stay very a lot within the image.
Atletico’s first-half efficiency on the Bernabéu was classic Simeone, the crew trying near-impossible to interrupt down. They moved in unison to disclaim any area, typically with a backline of six gamers, with wingers Giuliano Simeone and Lino dropping again to assist the defence. In that first half it meant Actual Madrid, regardless of their a lot vaunted “incredible 4” assault of Mbappé, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, seemed toothless.
The second half was much less convincing and in the long run, Atletico had Oblak to thank for incomes them some extent.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona can have been trying on with curiosity, having seemingly bounced again from their December hunch. A win for Barça at a struggling Sevilla on Sunday would put them some extent behind Atletico and two behind Actual, with Barça attributable to go to Atletico subsequent month. The prospect of a correct, three-horse title race that goes the space is now a really actual one.
