Real Madrid’s city derby against Atletico Madrid ended in a contentious 1-1 draw, leaving Los Blancos disappointed as another refereeing decision became the center of attention. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration after the match, emphasizing that his side felt they had done enough to secure all three points.
This result came after a heated build-up, with Real Madrid embroiled in a dispute with La Liga officials over officiating decisions in their previous loss to Espanyol. Their grievances only intensified as VAR awarded Atletico a controversial penalty, a decision that significantly impacted the outcome of the match.
A Heated Build-Up and Early Controversy
Real Madrid entered the Madrid derby at the top of the La Liga table but had spent much of the week leading up to the game clashing with La Liga chief Javier Tebas over refereeing decisions. Their frustration stemmed from a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol, where they felt they had been on the wrong end of questionable calls.
Against Atletico, controversy struck again when Aurelien Tchouameni was penalized for a challenge on Samuel Lino inside the box. The referee initially let play continue, but after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Atletico. The decision left Real Madrid players and staff bewildered, as they believed Tchouameni’s challenge did not warrant a spot-kick.
Mbappe to the Rescue but Frustration Remains
Despite the setback, Real Madrid responded through Kylian Mbappe, who continued his incredible goal-scoring form. The French forward found the net to ensure his team salvaged a point from the encounter. However, even with the equalizer, Ancelotti’s squad left the pitch feeling they had been denied a crucial victory.
Ancelotti shared his thoughts after the match, acknowledging that the team was disheartened by the result. “The second half went well,” he said. “The team is disappointed because they believe they deserved to win—we were close. But we must be happy; we are still leaders after an intense week, and now we have a calmer week until Tuesday.”
Second-Half Improvement but Not Enough
The Real Madrid manager admitted his side started the match too slowly but improved significantly in the second half. “Before, we played too slowly; in the second half, we played with more width. Vinicius and Rodrygo created a lot of danger,” Ancelotti explained. “The team was good. Everyone sacrificed; they recovered in a game that was complicated. Atletico defended and counter-attacked, and at the back, they were very solid. Tchouameni played a great game, and we were close to winning.”
Ancelotti refrained from outright criticizing the referee for the penalty decision but subtly questioned the call. “The VAR awarded the penalty, [but] the referee was close to the situation and saw what happened,” he remarked. “I saw that the VAR whistled a similar penalty in the Athletic Club against Girona game. The people of football do not understand this.”
Diego Simeone Defends the Officiating
On the other hand, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone backed the referee, stating that he managed the game well despite the controversy. “I thought the referee handled it in the best way he could,” Simeone said. “For some people, Ceballos deserved a straight red… At least I think he should have checked it in the VAR, but others may disagree.”
Simeone’s comments suggested that while he agreed with some decisions, he believed Dani Ceballos should have faced harsher punishment for what he saw as an overly aggressive challenge. “He made his decision, and that’s his decision to make, and the VAR crew thought that they didn’t need to call the ref up. In the end, I thought he did a good job overall.”
Title Race Tightens as Real Madrid Stay on Top
Despite their frustration, Real Madrid remains in control of the La Liga title race. They still hold a one-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, ensuring they retain their advantage despite dropping points. However, Barcelona, who face Sevilla in their next fixture, have the opportunity to close the gap and apply more pressure on Ancelotti’s men.
For Real Madrid, this draw serves as a reminder that every point matters in their pursuit of the title. The team must quickly move on from the officiating controversy and focus on their upcoming fixtures if they want to maintain their grip on first place.
Looking Ahead: Real Madrid’s Response Will Be Crucial
With the derby behind them, Real Madrid now has the chance to regroup before their next match. Ancelotti emphasized that the squad would take the positives from the game and shift their attention to their next challenge. “We came out of the game with good feelings,” he said. “The team was good, especially in the second half.”
One of the biggest takeaways from the match was the continued brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, who remains a key player for Real Madrid this season. His ability to produce moments of magic in high-pressure situations will be crucial as the title race intensifies.
Atletico Madrid’s Perspective: A Hard-Earned Point
For Atletico Madrid, the draw represents a solid result in a high-stakes clash. They managed to frustrate their city rivals with disciplined defending and effective counter-attacking play. Despite Real Madrid’s dominance in the second half, Simeone’s side held firm and secured a valuable point.
Atletico remains in contention for the title and will be encouraged by their ability to compete at the highest level. Their defensive organization and ability to capitalize on key moments make them a formidable opponent in the race for La Liga supremacy.
Final Thoughts: Another Chapter in the Madrid Derby Rivalry
The latest edition of the Madrid derby delivered the drama and intensity expected from such a high-profile clash. While Real Madrid may feel hard done by the officiating, they must quickly move on and continue their push for the title. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, will see this result as a testament to their resilience and ability to challenge the league leaders.
As the La Liga season progresses, the battle for the top spot will only become more intense. With Barcelona lurking close behind, every match will be crucial in determining who lifts the trophy at the end of the campaign. Real Madrid, despite their frustration, remain in the driver’s seat, but they cannot afford to dwell on what could have been. The focus must now be on securing victories and proving that they are worthy champions.
