I wouldn’t wish this column to appear exclusively focused on the city of Madrid, but if you’ll pardon the general tone of this week’s piece, it’s obvious that the city ‘derbi’ and its aftermath require some reflection. This same column, only last week, was suggesting that the game at the Vicente Calderón between Atlético and Real Madrid was by default a crucial game, and that there would be significant consequences, whatever the result. Now, looking back, the result of the game was probably never in doubt – but the dimensions of Atlético’s 4-0 victory and the consequences it might have in the further development of the league-title race are interesting indeed.
– La Liga: Atletico thrash woeful Real 4-0 in Madrid derby
– #360view: La Liga’s transfer disparity spells danger
– La Liga: Barca put five past Atletico, Sevilla stumble
– #360view: Athletic’s squad deficiencies laid bare
In midweek, Real Madrid played Sevilla and won (2-1) the game they had in hand, due to the ‘Mundialito’ (FIFA Club World Cup) they had played in Morocco in December. They were less than convincing in the match, and lost James Rodriguez to boot, with a metatarsal injury. He’ll be out for two months. They thus faced a visit to a bouncy and bubbling Atlético without Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo, Modric watching on TV and James on crutches. In the unlikely event that Real Madrid had won, they would have left Atlético trailing by ten points and Barcelona feeling that their pick-up in form was not really being reflected in any narrowing of the gap between themselves and the leaders.
“It was the first time that Real had failed to score in their last 22 games, and the first time since 1951 that Atlético have won both derby games in a season.”
Whatever, nothing is quite the same again in the universe, after Atlético’s annihilation of their noiseless neighbours. It was the first time that Real Madrid had failed to score in their last 22 games, and the first time since 1951, incredibly, that Atlético have won both derby games in a season, home and away. Given some of the squads that they have had since then, the statistic seems a curious one, but in a sense speaks highly of Real Madrid and their general dominance of the neighbours over the years, save the occasional and brief period of power shift.
Cristiano Ronaldo (was he playing?) remarked after the game that Real Madrid should never lose 4-0 to ‘anyone’, a remark out of kilter with the vanquished team’s generally sporting and shell-shocked acceptance of Atlético’s superiority, and one whose meaning was unclear. Did he mean that Real Madrid should never lose heavily to anyone because of who they are (a particularly annoying sentiment) or did he mean that because of the bloated ranks of expensive talent in their squad they should never lose? If he meant the latter, then he is probably right, but it raises the question of how deep a squad can ever be, especially when it comes up against a side like Atlético.
Carlo Ancelotti had no choice but to field the central pairing of Nacho Fernandez and Raphael Varane, with Fabio Coentrao the obvious replacement for Marcelo. However, the choice of the out-of-favour Sami Khedira to combat the massed ranks of Atlético’s midfield was a poor one, allowing the will-o’-the-wisp Antoine Griezmann to run riot and the sublime Arda Turan to torment and tease. Turan is Real Madrid’s Isco, but on Saturday he was simply supported far more, and instead of flinging his boot at anyone, he looked as happy as a sandboy. Toni Kroos tried his best to stem the tide, but at times looked like a blond elf overwhelmed by a sea of Orcs. Griezmann and Turan ran him down and tormented him, obeying orders from on high. Madrid had no connections. All their highways were blocked.
All this with Koke, in many ways the engine-room of Atlético, forced to leave the field after 17 minutes with an injury. No matter. Like Saruman in the Lord of the Rings, Diego Simeone has fabricated a whole army of Uruk-hai replacements, and Saul Niguez came on to then score the best goal of the game. Real Madrid’s replacement army were made of softer stuff, and their policy of buying all and sundry at the drop of a hat is brought into sharper focus by this sort of result.
Iker Casillas https://t.co/7DBZo1Y2iE
— D. Berenguer (@DaniBeren14) February 7, 2015
It won’t be a happy week at the Bernabéu, especially with Iker Casillas back in the limelight after being at fault for the first goal. Tiago’s shot actually came through a forest of legs, but the Atlético fans enjoyed the moment, ironically chanting ‘Iker, Iker’ in the manner of the Bernabéu, in happier times, for the goalkeeper. At the other end, Real Madrid only managed one shot on target, from the substitute Asier Illarramendi, who probably should have been on in the first place, though it’s easy to say in hindsight. Atlético managed 17 shots, and buried four. To put the cream on the cake, local god Fernando Torres came on at 3-0 and set up Mandzukic for the fourth goal, with a decent run and cut-back from his old, more confident days. The Calderón simply went bonkers. The good times are here, and they’re rollin’!
There’s no point in analysing why Real Madrid lost. They were simply outfought and outplayed by a side who are on the crest of a tsunami. Without the three players who most revel in hostile circumstances (Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo) they were just toothless. What remains now is to see how they pick themselves up. Deportivo, although they are improving, should be a convenient visitor-victim to the Bernabéu next week, but the further bad news for the leaders is that Barcelona are also on a high, hammering Athletic Bilbao 5-2 in the new San Mamés and playing some wonderful stuff in the process.
“@FootyLiveVines: GOAL PEDRO! Athletic 2-5 Barcelona http://t.co/pbYH9vvzuH” omg Messi what a ball!
— أبو يوسف البرطاني (@IshaqN94) February 8, 2015
It was actually Barca’s 500th away league win in their professional history since 1928, and their fifth consecutive win – their best run of the season. The Blaugrana, now one point behind the leaders, have five games ahead that do not look particularly taxing, given the way they are playing. The five games should be easy enough for them to keep up their morale before Real Madrid visit the Camp Nou in the third week of March. Real Madrid’s next five include a tricky one at home to Villarreal and a trip to Bilbao, where in recent seasons they’ve done well, but where the hostility can always threaten to unbalance them. If they are still leaders by the end of March, then from this weekend’s perspective, it will be surprising. As a fan remarked to me on Saturday night, ‘Come back Modric. Please!’
Sevilla’s surprising loss at Getafe means that Valencia go fourth, after their 2-1 win at Espanyol. Levante won 4-1 against Malaga, surprising even themselves after four games without scoring and nine without a win. It was their 100th win in the top flight, and it may serve to make them dream that they can stay there. Eibar continued their recent slump, losing rather too easily at Deportivo, and Las Palmas, Girona and Sporting occupy the top three spots in the Second Division on 47 points each. In both divisions, it would seem, everything is still to play for.
