Real Madrid

Make it 12 the number of years Atletico Madrid haven’t won in the Santiago Bernabeu. The Whites needed only 18 minutes to bag another derby victory and regain the top spot in the table. Carvalho and Ozil were credited with Real Madrid’s goals.

Real Madrid knew they had to press from the get go and they didn’t take long to deal the first blow. Twelve minutes in, Carvalho received a pass from Di Maria and with the touch of a striker slipped the ball past De Gea. The ghosts of past defeats were ever present for Atletico, who six minutes later conceded the second. De Gea improperly set his wall of defenders and could only watch as Ozil curled the ball to the far post.

With the match well on track and what looked like a drubbing in the making, Atletico reacted and created scoring opportunities by way of Reyes, Aguero and Forlan. Casillas was up to the task, however, and thwarted every chance. The Whites went into the dressing room with a two goal advantage but knowing there were still 45 minutes to play.

Higuain hit the post shortly after the restart in a clear sign that Real Madrid wanted more. The Colchoneros never folded and Forlan watched in dismay as his strike hit the woodwork on 60’. The Whites let the visitors take the initiative in search for a counterstrike clincher.

Mourinho brought in fresh legs by replacing Higuian with Benzema, and Atletico meanwhile continued looking to get on the scoreboard. Kun came close to pulling Atleti within one, but Casillas got a hand to the ball for the save. Man of the match Carvalho pulled up with an injury and was subbed out for Albiol, and Diarra stepped in for a fatigued Di Maria.

Marcelo came close to putting up the third on 87’, but De Gea did well in clearing the ball. The match wound down with Atletico searching for a consolation goal and Real Madrid hoping to pad their stats. Yet another derby goes to the Whites, who sit top of the table for yet another week.

Lineups

Real Madrid
Casillas
Sergio Ramos
Pepe
Marcelo
Ricardo Carvalho	Goal 13'
Albiol 83'
Khedira
Xabi Alonso
Özil	Goal 19'
Di María
Mahamadou Diarra 83'
Cristiano Ronaldo
Higuaín
Benzema 74'

At. Madrid
De Gea
Valera
Ujfalusi
Domínguez
Filipe Luis
M. Suárez
Reyes
Tiago
Raúl García 69'
Simao
Diego Costa 76'
Forlán
Agüero