It was honours even in the 232nd El Derbi Madrileño, as Real Madrid fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw against rivals Atlético – though there truly were no winners on the night, with the result giving Barcelona the chance to open up a 10-point lead at the La Liga summit.
Firstly, Marco Asensio stung the palms of Jan Oblak with a dipping shot, and then Yannick Carrasco tested Thibaut Courtois, though both defences managed to get the ball clear on both occasions.
On that occasion, the Galacticos battled back from 2-0 down with a superb second-half performance, and it was more of the same today as Los Blancos came out with much more attacking intent and aggression going forward.
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Yet, despite playing with a man down, Simeone’s men took the lead after José María Giménez rose highest to nod Griezmann’s floated ball into the box, typifying a classic Atlético Madrid performance of grit and determination.
Knowing their grip on the La Liga trophy was quickly slipping away, Ancelotti’s side threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, and it duly arrived in the 85th minute through 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez, making him the second-youngest goalscorer in Real Madrid’s history, in what was his maiden appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The hosts failed to find a winning goal though, in what is a big blow to their defence of the La Liga title.
