He stopped at the Bernabeu with little to lose and the drive to lift Real Madrid out of the league battle. Although he faced a low moment at the time, the expulsion of Correa shifted the momentum, and Simeone’s side grabbed a lead on the scoreboard, taking two points from Ancelotti’s men and stamping a Madrid without Anfield’s bite and balance. Barça now has a chance to extend the gap to ten points with 15 rounds remaining.
Only a month earlier, at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid had clinched a derby victory after extra time, despite heavy pressure from Simeone’s lineup. Cholo appeared to adopt a more conservative approach for this encounter, pooling the midfield and leaving Griezmann as the focal point up front. Ancelotti chose a trusted XI with Nacho, Ceballos and Asensio. The Italian coach sought fresh legs for a duel where the visitors stood to gain much and Madrid stood to lose more.
Padron penalty
The league had not seen Atlético awarded a penalty so far this season, and it seemed unlikely at the Bernabéu either. A handball deemed clear by Valverde created controversy, with cheers and whistles mingling. Gil Manzano, a referee whose decision carried heavy weight, pointed to the spot, and Atlético found itself behind the action. The visitors began from a stronger position, pressing Madrid in the opening minutes until Madrid, a team built to endure, began to sag. When Kroos threaded a pass and Valverde created a chance from wide, Madrid responded. Benzema pressed and the Atlético defense, already battered by Reinildo’s injury, tightened in the box as the ball moved through the lines toward goal.
Ancelotti failed to solve Simeone’s tactical puzzle, and Cholo did not favor abandoning Griezmann for a more conventional approach. The strategic duel ended in a stalemate. The match, carried by a solemn minute of silence in memory of a great figure, carried emotional weight from the outset, echoing memories of past eras.
Simeone adjusted with a more natural XI in the second half, bringing Correa on to support Barrios and allowing Griezmann to exploit space between the lines. Madrid controlled the tempo, waiting patiently for the critical moment to overcome a stubborn obstacle in the race to survive in the league. With eight points separating the teams, Barcelona pressed the belief that Madrid could still falter, but Madrid steadied itself and refused to concede ground as the game wore on.
Is red excessive?
As the match wore on, Oblak remained largely untroubled. Correa’s introduction had sparked Atlético, but forward momentum remained elusive. Griezmann then found a moment with a well-timed shot across the goal, and shortly after, Kroos fed Asensio and Ceballos with a surge from Tchouaméni, Camavinga and Modric helping sustain pressure in the final minutes. In the 64th minute, Correa collided with Rüdiger, drawing a red card after a harsh challenge. The decision drew mixed opinions, with some judges deeming the punishment excessive while others saw it as warranted.
The sending-off reshaped the remainder of the contest, forcing Atlético to revert to a more defensive stance while Madrid searched for a breakthrough. The result felt heavier in symbolism than in points, as Madrid looked to pull further away from the title race if Barça won elsewhere, while Atlético fought to secure a spot in the Champions League and salvage something from a difficult season. Simeone showed bravery by deploying Koke and Saúl alongside Morata, freeing Griezmann to operate between the lines again. Giménez rewarded that faith with a late set piece that nearly found Courtois’ goal with eleven minutes left on the clock.
Ancelotti’s side manufactured one of those dramatic late efforts, and Ávaro Rodríguez’s youth shone through as he headed a corner home to awaken the Bernabéu. In the dying moments, the home team pressed with renewed urgency, but the visitors held firm, and the final whistle signaled Madrid’s withdrawal from the title fight. The focus now shifted to the Champions League and the domestic cup, with Simeone balancing concerns over the league with the club’s broader ambitions.
Data sheet:
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Nacho; Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Valverde; Asensio, Vinícius, Benzema.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Savic, Mario Hermoso, Reinildo; Barrios, Koke, Saúl, Carrasco; Griezmann, Llorente.
Goals: Giménez 78, Álvaro Rodríguez 85. Referee: Gil Manzano. Key cautions and substitutions noted for each side. The match took place on the league’s calendar with a large crowd in attendance, and efforts were made to honor historical contributors with banners and tributes in the stands as a reflection of the club’s heritage.