Atlético de Madrid knew it, the need to win was not just to stay in Champions positions, it was the derby. The spice of the preview down the hall that never was, increased with the development of the commitment. Work and resilience, was the endurance that Simeone’s eleventh had. Victory by the minimum difference against Real Madrid, with a goal from Carrasco, from the penalty spot.
Ancelotti thought of everything, already with a league more than decided for them, he decided to give a massive rotation to the payroll. Lunin, Vallejo, Vásquez, Camavinga, Rodrygo and Jovic, some of the names to replace those absent due to physical discomfort and technical decision. Already with the quota for the Champions League final, it was the perfect opportunity to give more continuity to those who did not have it throughout the season.
Even duel, Atleti came out with everything, one more derby to fulfill, but with the seasoning at stake of quotas for European competitions for Simeone’s men. A lot of parity in the first half, with the most marked intention on the part of the locals, to violate Lunin’s goal.
An error at the start of the whites, in the middle of the field, was taken advantage of by the colchoneros to go directly to the attack. Vallejo’s foul on Cunha, inside the area, which, from the outset, was not sanctioned by the centre-back. The VAR called it and rectified it. The person in charge of concretizing the penalty was Carrasco, at minute 40.
Real Madrid’s response was lukewarm, with an action by Jovic who finished off Oblak’s exit, heading towards the goalkeeper’s body, taking the ball. The second half began with more dynamics, leaving behind the guards to avoid spaces and turning more to the attack.
Griezmann began warning, with his entry to the field, just starting the complement. The white response was immediate. Played down the right wing, passed to the center and Casemiro, arriving as an attacker, finished off, with placement, being easy for Oblak.
Lunin arrived as the new litter of the white house. As he answered, he was safe on the way out and when demanded by Cunha, he saved in a great way, to avoid the fall of his bow.
Ancelotti wanted to give a new direction to the scheme. He took out Casemiro and Jovic at 60′, to give Valverde and Vinicius entry. At 10 minutes, the Italian sent Valverde onto the field, who turned out to be a shock. From the outset, two dangerous shots on Oblak’s goal, who looked confident in both.
The colchoneros were shaken and began to arrive with Griezmann, who had a clear option that went wide. At minute 77, Carrasco had the second to sentence the derby, hand in hand with Lunin, the Belgian sent the ball to the post.
Change of mind for the end of the match. Atlético went on to defend with all the result, while Madrid turned to the attack, turning Oblak into a figure, in the face of multiple shots by Valverde and one by Asensio, where he was pushed to the max.
The colchoneros were left with 64 units, taking six units from Real Betis, to leave the place for the Champions League almost defined.
