Atlético Madrid hold on to beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday in a version of the city derby with fewer people online than in previous years.
With the 2021-22 LaLiga title in hand, Carlo Ancelotti has rested many of Real’s incredible Champions League starts win the semi-final second leg end City of Manchester on Wednesdays, including Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior.
The home team went through near the end of the first half goalless, when Matheus Cunha draw a penalty on Real Madrid Nacho and Yannick Carrasco Converted the penalty kick to give Atleti a 1-0 lead at half-time.
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“It was a very important win today,” said the Atleti keeper Jan Oblak, who made some good saves in the second half. “It was a very difficult game. Madrid were champions but they played well, they wanted the three points.
“We had a lot of chances in the second half but didn’t succeed. Luckily we kept a clean sheet and one goal was enough.”
Atletico had several chances throughout the second half to extend the lead, but Andriy Luninin place of Courtois, made a number of crucial saves and Carrasco’s header hit the post 75 minutes into the match for the keeper to beat.
Nacho had a chance to head in the net at Real’s time, but his failure to make good contact with Vinicius’ cross from a situation Benzema missed created a season-switching routine.
“Karim is tired, he hasn’t recovered yet,” Ancelotti said after the game. “The first thing I have to do is avoid problems. Luka [Modric] Also a bit tired, I don’t want to warm him up.
“The idea is to have the whole squad on the 28th. [Luka] Jovic had some problems. We couldn’t play attacking from the back, so the front line was more difficult than the rest. “
The result helped Real Madrid win 81 points after 35 games, while Atleti increased 64 points, six points ahead of the fifth ranked team. Real Betis in the battle for the final Champions League spot in LaLiga.
Oblak added: “Very happy with the three points in this Champions League fight, it’s an important step.”
One reason for the changes to Real’s XI is their looming UCL final against Liverpool on May 28 in Paris, and Lucas Vazquez Speaking about the starting line-up after the match.
“The boss chooses the team,” Vazquez said. “We come in to do the best we can. We have three games left and then the Champions League final, we will have to work hard to win the title.
“The best way to prepare for the Champions League final is with these three matches. In the Spanish league, no match is easy.”
It was the night that made history for Diego Simeone, who recorded his 10th win over Real in 36 attempts, overtaking Luis Aragones to become the most winning Atletico manager in Madrid derby history.
“Football is complicated,” said Ancelotti. “We need to finish this season as well as possible. We have incredible fans, we’ve had an unstable season and they’ve always been there for us. It’s emotional today when meet the fans again before the game We have a responsibility to the fans and the club to maintain this level until the end.
“Ancelotti? Admiration. He’s an incredible coach, won five different tournaments and admired for his personality. He’s the same when he wins and when he loses. That’s what makes you. must admire Ancelotti.”
