Photo credit: Sports Vision
The drums of war are beating for the 230th Madrid Derby, and in this recent 11-legged showdown
Real Madrid soccer team
with a record of 4 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss. However, before the curtain went up on the battle
Real Madrid soccer team
But with star center backs Gimenez and Savic unable to play due to injuries and Atletico Madrid missing two of their center backs, the difference in strength between the two sides was evident from the start of the game.
Faced with a shortage of personnel, Atletico started Witsel as a temporary replacement for the center back, forming a three-guard lineup with Felipe and Reinildo. Kondogbia, De Paul and Koke are in the midfield, while Félix and Griezmann are in the forward line. And
Real Madrid soccer team
On the side, Ancelotti collected Rüdiger, a new addition this season, considering Benzema's knee injury, and Camavinga stayed on the bench. At the back, the Champions League defense of Alaba, Militao, Mendy and Carvajal was solid, with midfielder Tchouameni making his debut as a new recruit, Kroos and Modric occupying the starting lineup, and Vinicius, Rodrygo and Valverde in the forward line, apparently avoiding the unfamiliarity of the newcomers.
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At the beginning of the match, Atletico had to strengthen their defense in the middle of the pitch without a center back, with M. Llorente and Carrasco carrying the load in both offense and defense. However.
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Tight on Griezmann and despite the Atletico player's opening attack, the shot was relatively straightforward and Courtois pounced with ease.
The tactical change of Félix dropping back and Griezmann moving forward was elusive, but Griezmann's shot control was extremely high and flexible, and would have been better served by a pass to Félix moving forward. However, Tchouameni's tight defense limited Griezmann's breaks and passes, preventing him from disrupting effectively.
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Line of Defense.
Photo credit: Sports Vision
Real Madrid soccer team
The blocking of Griezmann was effective, and Tchouameni's focused defense allowed the
Real Madrid soccer team
The defense was much more solid. Despite Griezmann's excellent passing and breaking, both stopped at the first line of defense. The insertion of Félix made the central defense face a pulling problem, but the effectiveness of this pulling was limited by the absence of Morata.
At 18 minutes.
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Tchouameni was on the 30-yard line in the middle of the field, saw the Atletico defense backing up, and played a cross into the box that Rodrygo headed straight into the box. Felipe attempted to jump and intercept, but Tchouameni's pass was so sudden that Felipe was a step too slow in jumping and missed the pass. Rodrygo was at full speed from 11 yards out and fired home a goal that was quite well struck.
Real Madrid soccer team
The pressure on Atletico's central defense prevented Atletico from counterattacking, and the only way to influence the game was through foul play. 28 minutes in, Reinildo stomped on Rodrygo as he chased him down, and although the referee only showed a yellow card, the series of fouls left Vinicius and Rodrygo tormented on the field.
In the 35th minute, Modric played Rodrygo in his own half to the center line, Modric saw that DePaul and M.Llorente didn't quite pounce on him and played a narrow pass to the left side of the field with Vinicius, who accelerated forward and Rodrygo was ready to reverse the offside in the middle of the field, Felipe was supporting him up the field. Vinicius accelerated down the left side of the box and hit the post, but Valverde was already there and pushed the ball home.
