In an exciting confrontation between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid, the team led by Diego Pablo Simeone emerged as the clear winner by defeating the merengue team with a final score of 3-1. This confrontation, which is always one of the most anticipated in the Spanish League, made it clear that Simeone, the Argentine strategist, tactically surpassed his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti in an impressive manner.
One of the keys to Atlético’s victory was their focus on exploiting an obvious weakness in Real Madrid’s defense: the lateral crosses. On the three occasions in which the colchoneros found the back of the net, they did so through accurate crosses from the sides of the field. Simeone explained in the press conference after the match: “We played a very good game, in the first half we were strong, we could do damage on the sides because they suffered in the crosses at the far post, we trained it and they executed it in the best way, “That’s how two goals came.”
This is how Simeone beat Ancelotti in the Madrid Derby
Atlético’s first goal came when Samuel Lino received the ball on the left wing, passed Valverde, and crossed into the area where Álvaro Morata was alone, taking advantage of the lack of marking between Alaba and Fran García. Antoine Griezmann played a crucial role in pinning down Camavinga and Saúl did the same by threatening the space between centre-back and full-back to entertain Rüdiger.
The second goal was a tactical masterpiece. Saúl skilfully unmarked himself between the center-back and the full-back, Rüdiger was trapped in a compromising position and Morata brought in Alaba, leaving Griezmann free to score with a header. Camavinga and Fran García couldn’t help it.
Finally, the third goal demonstrated Atlético’s superiority on the flank. Griezmann connected with Saúl, who had all the space on the wing to generate depth. Alaba made the mistake of going towards the near post, leaving Morata completely alone to finish in the area without any pressure from Camavinga or Fran García.
Simeone’s tactical approach and the impeccable execution of his players led Atlético de Madrid to a convincing victory in the Madrid derby. This victory is not only a triumph on the scoreboard but also a reminder of the cunning and tactical mastery of the Argentine coach in one of the most intense and exciting confrontations in Spanish football.
