Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrigo De Paul. REUTERS / ISABEL INFANTES / AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO
Long dominating, the Merengue of a very good Camavinga were punished by the perseverance of Griezmann’s Colchoneros (1-1), during the 23rd day of Liga this Sunday.
TOPS
Eduardo Camavinga master of the environment
Positioned in his real position, next to Toni Kroos, the French international produced a great performance despite the draw conceded, at the last minute, by Real Madrid against its neighbor Atlético (1-1). Impressive in physical destruction, the player trained in Rennes combined his activity with technical cleanliness in the restart and construction of the game. His work in tandem with Kroos allowed Real to control all or almost all of this derby. Even if he is not unworthy when he helps out on the left, Camavinga shines more in the midfield. He proved it again this Sunday evening.
Brahim Diaz, sacred surprise guest
Announced as a replacement at first, the small Spaniard replaced Vinicius at short notice, physically injured before kick-off. A chance that he was able to seize perfectly, first by opening the scoring with a “surface fox” goal in the first period. Very generous in his calls and truly inspired, Diaz was at the origin of numerous Real offensives, receiving the deserved ovation from the Bernabéu as he left the pitch. Atlético’s defense, especially Hermoso, suffered greatly against him.
Atlético and Griezmann never gave up
Like Antoine Griezmann, unhappy at the finish but very determined, the Colchoneros gave in for a long time without ever breaking. Following the goal denied to Savic at the start of the second half, they suffered the events but had the merit of staying alive until added time. Moment chosen by Marcos Llorente to equalize with an angry and devilishly important header. This point from the draw snatched in the last moments is, undoubtedly, the best thing that could happen to Atlético this Sunday. A result which saves the disappointing overall content of Diego Simeone’s players.
FLOPS
The Merengue punished
Authors of a very high level match on an individual level, from Camavinga to Diaz via Kroos, Bellingham and Vazquez, Real Madrid gave themselves the means to win this crucial clash in the title race. He just missed the break goal in the second half, missed in particular by Rodrygo. Atlético finally picked up the crumbs, taking advantage of a moment of hesitation in defense between Nacho and Carvajal. Result of the races, Carlo Ancelotti’s team carried out a bad accounting operation, six days before receiving the surprise Girona during the duel at the top in La Liga.
Koke, Saul… the Atlético midfielder drowned
In support of the Griezmann-Morata duo, the Rojiblancos midfielders suffered from the comparison with their Casa Blanca opponents. Overtaken, late in duels and scrambling with the ball, Koke, Saul Niguez and Rodrigo De Paul lived a nightmare. Logically, Simeone decided to replace them all before the 70th minute, feeling that his team needed new blood. On arrival, the furniture was saved on the visitor’s side even if the midfield battle was largely won by the Merengue, impressive in sequences in their retention of the ball.
