Real Madrid extended their winning record in LaLiga after with a 2-1 win over cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
Date: 18 September 2022
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
Los Blancos made four changes to the side that thrashed Mallorca, as Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni were recalled.
Atletico, on the other hand were bolstered by the return from injury of goalkeeper Jan Oblak, with Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix recalled to lead the line.
Diego Simeone's charges had the upper hand in the early exchanges but Los Blancos were clinical with their first attack on 18 minutes after Rodrygo finished off a lobbed pass by Tchouameni past Oblak.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges had their tails up after that and Federico Valverde doubled their lead nine minutes before the interval with a strike at the back post after Oblak parried Rodrygo's initial shot.
Los Blancos were all over Atletico with the halftime break approaching and Simeone's men needed to take a breather to plot how they aim to respond in the second stanza.
The early stages of the second stanza were tactical, as Atletico looked for ways to break down Los Blancos, who only threatened on set-pieces.
Something had to give for the hosts and Simeone eventually made a double attacking change around the hour-mark, as Alvaro Morata and Matheus Cunha both came on for Rodrigo de Paul and Felix.
Although Atletico had the momentum going forward, they struggled for the final ball in the last third and in the last 15 minutes, while Ancelotti did not want to risk further with Ferland Mendy, who was booked, and replaced him with Antonio Rudiger.
However, Simeone's charges finally cut the deficit to one goal after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois missed the flight of Griezmann's corner which allowed Mario Hermoso to head home from close range.
Atletico's late charge was ruined after Hermoso got a second yellow card for a push on Carvajal, as Los Blancos held on to retain a two-point lead at the top of the log.
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