In a result that could have far reaching implications for the Spanish La Liga, the champions of Spain, Atletico Madrid, beat the champions of Europe, their great local rivals, Real Madrid. This loss takes Real Madrid to the 12th position in the league tables, 6 points behind their greatest rivals, Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, and already puts their chances of winning the Spanish league at risk, so early into the season. This has been Real Madrid’s worst start to a La Liga season in many years.
This season was supposed to have been a tough one for Atletico Madrid, having been so devastatingly beaten in the finals of last season’s UEFA Champions League, after having come so close to snatching a win. That “shattering defeat”, as it was described by Atletico captain Diego Godin, and the subsequent loss of their best players such as center forward Diego Costa and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, was said to be a death blow to their aspirations this season.
But surprisingly, Atletico have been supremely rejuvenated this season, with manager Diego Simeone once again uses his dynamic leadership skills for the benefit of his side. Atletico had already beaten Real Madrid twice at the Santiago Bernabeu, the enemy’s den. There were only 100 Atletico supporters at the Bernabeu, compared to 85,500 Real Madrid supporters, but by the end of the match, this motley group of 100 was making more noise than all the 85,500 Real Madrid fans together.
The goals came thick and fast from both sides early in the match as Atletico midfielder Thiago turned in a header into the Real Madrid goal from a well taken corner. Christiano Ronaldo soon won a penalty with one of his typical mazing runs and converted it himself, levelling the scores.
Real Madrid were then dominant for much of the match, with Gareth Bale and Christiano Ronaldo makes their runs and Atletico content to hold on and bid for a chance. The chance came soon enough with Atletico’s inspirational midfielder Arda Turan coming off from the bench, and scoring the winning goal just 15 minutes before time.
The goal was spectacular in its simplicity. It began with a Juanfran throw-in to Antoine Griezmann, one of Atletico’s new signings. Griezmann, who was fast and capricious throughout the match, played it back to Juanfran, who sent in a low, hard cross to Raul Garcia in the middle, who, rather than strike it, faked his shot, stepped over it, allowing it to land perfectly at Turan’s feet. Turan made no mistake, side footing a perfect shot, just across Iker Casillas, beyond his reach and into the far corner.
This was completely unexpected as it was against the run of play, but Atletico players couldn’t be bothered with that as they celebrated wildly. The Santiago Bernabeu was silenced. For decades, Atletico Madrid were supposed to be the poor cousins who visited the Bernabeu only to be mercilessly beaten. But no longer. The script has changed, and how!
