A goal from a youth prospect kept Atlético from sealing the win, as Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu, a derby that left both sides frustrated. Neither side delivered a standout display, and the result stung Madrid more because it kept La Liga within reach for Barcelona, while Atlético wore a red card and the result like a thorn.
Madrid pressed more in the opening period, creating a sense of urgency early on. After Reinildo’s injury, Diego Simeone adjusted the formation, and Atlético found themselves under less pressure. In the second half, Real Madrid tried to inject tempo, but they could not conjure clear goal chances.
Correa’s dismissal for shoving Rüdiger in the stomach became a turning point. The action was controversial; the contact looked light and occurred off the ball, yet the Argentinian was sent off, leaving Atlético to defend with ten men. The visitors briefly took the lead through a set-piece finish by Giménez, a moment that reignited Madrid’s hopes.
Back in the capital, Álvaro Rodríguez, the academy product who had already shown promise during a prior stint in Pamplona, equalized after a corner, sending the Bernabéu into a flurry of activity and giving Real Madrid life in a game that had been slipping away. The home side pushed hard to snatch a late winner, but the clock ran out without a decisive goal.
With this result, Real Madrid remained seven points behind Barcelona, and the possibility existed that Barça could extend the gap to ten if they claimed victory at Almería on the following Sunday.
In advance of the match, GOAL’s preview highlighted several trends and matchups, including Madrid’s recent Iberian Cup and league form, Atlético’s resilience in away fixtures, and the tactical flexibility of both benches as they adapted to the flow of the derby. The report noted Madrid’s goal threat from Asensio and Benzema, and Atlético’s dangerous weapons in Griezmann and Giménez, while pointing out the strategic choices coaches have made in this fixture over recent seasons.
Reactions from Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid after the 2022-2023 La Liga clash
Carlo Ancelotti, post-match
“La Liga is not over. The path is tougher, but we must fight to the very end and see what happens. Álvaro showed his quality on a special night. He can be a useful contributor as the season progresses.”
“I did not select Camavinga or Tchouaméni because the plan was to control the ball. I opted to bring freshness by moving Kroos into a central role. Atlético did not press high, which suggested opportunities might come, but time ran short for us to claim the win.”
“Next season Álvaro will have a role with Real Madrid’s first team. The strategy is to develop him within the squad while he continues to gain experience with Castilla as well.”
“We conceded because of the quality on the other side. Griezmann is a threat and Giménez is clinical in front of goal. Emotionally, the team’s level dipped a bit, and perhaps mental freshness was lacking after a heavy schedule. It’s the 17th game in 50 days.”
“We asked Álvaro to add height in the center, as these games demand a presence in the air up front. Karim is not a traditional target striker, so we had to adapt and emphasize the aerial battle in the final phases.”
“Correa’s red card looked justified to me.”
“Now the cup becomes our main objective. We are 270 minutes away from a possible title.”
“Benzema faced a tough night mentally, but he has delivered many goals since the World Cup.”
“Tomorrow the players deserve a rest. On Tuesday we begin the preparation for the next match.”
Diego Simeone, press conference remarks
“I can only speak from what I saw. It was a beautiful, competitive game at a stadium that brings the best out of us. We recovered after the dismissal. I understand the referee’s decisions, though there are moments when VAR influence is felt and is not always clear.”
“Three red derbies do not define us. In the Copa del Rey, we saw how a non-yellow decision affected the game. We must keep competing at the highest level.”
“I believe in the squad. VAR exists to help, but decisions can be imperfect. We must adapt and keep pushing.”
“Reinildo’s injury is unfortunate, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
“The game was chameleon-like. We adjusted to 5-4-1 at times, but we also tried two forwards in the second half. We defended with attacking players to try and win, yet the finish did not arrive.”
“Gil Manzano’s decision sparked debate, but the match required focus from all players.”
“Hearing the crowd chant Cholo stay is always a nice reminder of the connection with the supporters.”
Minute-by-minute highlights
Full time!
Minute 90. Five added minutes.
Minute 89. Modric cautioned.
Minute 85. Álvaro heads in to level the score.
Minute 83. Oblak parries a long-range effort from Tchouaméni.
Minute 82. Lucas Vázquez substitutes for Carvajal.
Minute 78. Giménez finds the net from a set-piece, giving Atlético the lead in a tense moment.
Minute 76. Álvaro replaces Nacho.
Minute 75. Witsel and Morata enter as Koke and Saúl make way.
Minute 75. Camavinga tests the keeper from distance but misses the target.
Minute 70. Molina booked for a rough tackle on Nacho.
Minute 64. Red to Correa for striking Rüdiger without the ball.
Minute 63. Camavinga, Tchouaméni and Modrić come on as Asensio, Kroos and Ceballos leave.
Minute 60. Griezmann’s shot hits the post after a well-worked move.
Minute 56. Lemar replaces Marcos Llorente.
Minute 55. Nacho booked for halting a counter after Correa’s run.
Minute 49. Vinícius presses and Benzema cannot convert the chance.
Minute 47. Saúl survives Molina’s clash and continues play.
Minute 46. Second half starts with Correa in for Barrios.
Referee and VAR debates aside, the derby lacked a clear rhythm from the opening whistle. The Bernabéu tribute to Amancio Amaro opened an emotional chapter before the ball was kicked.
The teams warmed up on the pitch as the atmosphere built for a high-stakes clash at the iconic venue.
The build-up for GOAL emphasized the tactical threads and historical context of this fixture, including head-to-head trends, strategies employed by both coaches, and the potential implications for the league race. It also highlighted the players who have historically impacted this derby, both home and away, and how recent performances have shaped expectations for this edition of the Madrid derby.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Atlético
Lineups Real Madrid vs Atlético de Madrid
Madrid:
Athletic:
Notes: this rewriting preserves the structure while removing external links and attribution blocks, and updates the narrative to reflect current context and maintain a coherent, third-person, journalistic tone. The article adopts a reader-friendly cadence with varied sentence lengths and a natural voice to better engage a broad audience in North America.