- In the Madrid derby, points were shared on Sunday evening after a fiery match
- Brahim Diaz opened the scoring before Marcos Llorente got a late equalizer
- Curtis Jones, Jacob Ramsey and Ivan Toney… SAMI MOKBEL reveals players to watch in the summer transfer window – It all kicks off the Transfer Week podcast
Real Madrid let two points slip in injury time at the Santiago Bernabeu as Marcos Llorente scored a late equalizer for Atletico Madrid.
The 1-1 final score does little to dent Atletico’s slim chances of forcing their way into the title race, but they do give Girona a helping hand – the draw leaves them just two points ahead of the visiting side at the top as the second-placed team to the Bernabeu next weekend.
There was drama for Real Madrid before the match started, with Vinicius suffering a neck injury and withdrawing from the starting line-up. His replacement was announced as Joselu, but Carlo Ancelotti ultimately opted for Brahim Diaz and the former Manchester City youngster shone in the first half, scoring a smart opening.
Atletico failed to clear a Real Madrid attack despite having several chances to do so, and Diaz turned the ball past Oblak after it came to him via Koke.
Real Madrid had Dani Carvajal in the center of defense due to an injury to Antonio Rudiger and with Diaz up front they were a small team on the evenings who were probably always prone to high balls into the penalty area.
Atletico Madrid left the Santiago Bernabeu with a point after a late equalizer
Real Madrid were left frustrated after their rivals scored an equalizer in extra time
Brahim Diaz had given Los Blancos the lead in the twentieth minute of the match on Sunday
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Particularly in the second half, Joselu headed in Antoine Griezmann’s corner for what looked like Atletico Madrid’s equalizer. But the goal was disallowed because Saul was in an offside position right on the goal line in front of Andriy Lunin.
Diego Simeone went bust with his second-half substitutions and both Memphis Depay and Angel Correa asked more questions of Real Madrid’s defense, but it looked like Carlo Ancelotti’s side would take all three points and extend their lead at the top would expand to four points – and with Atletico 13 points ahead.
But a weakness in the air cost Real Madrid in injury time. A long ball forward was tapped in by Memphis Depay and the duel was between Llorente and Nacho for the second ball.
Nacho tried to clear with his feet, Llorente headed over Lunin and Atletico had the equalizer.
Marcos Llorente (R) celebrated with his teammates after scoring the dramatic equalizer
When asked after the match if it felt like a win, Llorente said: “No, two points have been lost.” Atletico will have to win the Copa del Rey or the Champions League this season if they want to claim silverware.
‘For Real Madrid the priority is the competition and all focus is on their match next week against second-placed Giriona.
Thanks to Llorente’s late goal, the gap between them is not as big as it could have been.
