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Atlético Madrid show up Real at Bernabéu again thanks to Arda Turan Atlético Madrid show up Real at Bernabéu again thanks to Arda Turan
(about 1 hour later)
The champions of Spain defeated the champions of Europe as the balance of power in Madrid shifted once more. Arda Turan came from the bench to score the goal that took Atlético to a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, expertly steering the ball home with 15 minutes remaining.The champions of Spain defeated the champions of Europe as the balance of power in Madrid shifted once more. Arda Turan came from the bench to score the goal that took Atlético to a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, expertly steering the ball home with 15 minutes remaining.
Atlético had not beaten their city neighbours in 14 years and 25 matches until they won the Copa del Rey here in May 2013. They have returned twice in the league since then and won both. They have also taken the league title, becoming the first team outside the big two to do so in a decade, and began this season defeating Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup.Atlético had not beaten their city neighbours in 14 years and 25 matches until they won the Copa del Rey here in May 2013. They have returned twice in the league since then and won both. They have also taken the league title, becoming the first team outside the big two to do so in a decade, and began this season defeating Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup.
For Atlético, nothing will ever make up for the loss in the European Cup final, of course. For Real, meanwhile, the décima will never be taken away. But at full time, there were whistles for Real. The only cheers came from a tiny pocket of supporters high in the corner of the north stand. Atlético have a five-point lead over their rivals already; Carlo Ancelotti’s team have been beaten twice in their opening three games of the league season.For Atlético, nothing will ever make up for the loss in the European Cup final, of course. For Real, meanwhile, the décima will never be taken away. But at full time, there were whistles for Real. The only cheers came from a tiny pocket of supporters high in the corner of the north stand. Atlético have a five-point lead over their rivals already; Carlo Ancelotti’s team have been beaten twice in their opening three games of the league season.
Atlético proved that they have recovered from Lisbon, described by their captain, Gabi, as a “shattered dream”, and they recovered from an uncharacteristically unconvincing first-half performance. The introduction of summer signing Antoine Griezmann and Turan, who missed the Champions league final through injury, finally becoming available this week, changed everything. Atlético recovered from an uncharacteristically unconvincing first-half performance. The introduction of summer signing Antoine Griezmann and Turan, who missed the Champions league final through injury, finally becoming available this week, changed everything.
The clock had not even shown 10 minutes when Atlético took the lead, and when it came, the genesis would have been familiar to both sides. For Atlético there was satisfaction in seeing Tiago Mendes head home at the near post to score their fourth goal of the season and their fifth from a set piece. For Real, their weakness had been exposed. Seven of the past 15 goals they have conceded in the league had now come from dead balls. The clock had not even shown 10 minutes when Atlético took the lead. For Atlético there was satisfaction in seeing Tiago Mendes head home at the near-post to score their fourth goal of the season and their fifth from a set piece. For Real, their weakness had been exposed. Seven of the past 15 goals they have conceded in the league had now come from dead balls.
For many Real Madrid fans, one man was to blame above all others. Mendes had been left alone, between Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and had not even had to jump to head. But much of this stadium whistled whenever Iker Casillas came into contact with the ball thereafter – even if other fans responded by chanting the name of their captain. For many Real Madrid fans, one man was to blame above all others. Mendes had been left alone, between Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and had not even had to jump to head. But much of this stadium whistled whenever Iker Casillas came into contact with the ball.
Real Madrid gathered pace. Ronaldo often switched wings to join Gareth Bale on the right, seeking to target Guilherme Siqueira, and it was there that the equaliser came. He ran at the Brazilian full-back, pushing him into the area. If Ronaldo was looking for the foul, Siqueira obliged, and clumsily. Ronaldo scored from the penalty.Real Madrid gathered pace. Ronaldo often switched wings to join Gareth Bale on the right, seeking to target Guilherme Siqueira, and it was there that the equaliser came. He ran at the Brazilian full-back, pushing him into the area. If Ronaldo was looking for the foul, Siqueira obliged, and clumsily. Ronaldo scored from the penalty.
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos underpinning the midfield and James Rodríguez close to the front three, Real almost appeared to be playing a 4-2-4, with a certain fluidity for the front four. They moved the ball swiftly and created chances now, quick from one end to the other and from one side to the other as well. Ancelotti had said that Ronaldo, who did not play against Real Sociedad a fortnight ago and was left out of the Portugal squad, had now returned to full fitness. The evidence here suggested that he was right. The Ballon d’Or winner was involved constantly. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos underpinning the midfield and James Rodríguez close to the front three, Real almost appeared to be playing a 4-2-4.
Unusually, Atlético lost control. Diego Simeone had gone with two strikers, starting Raúl Jiménez alongside Mario Mandzukic, but it had little effect. It debilitated them in the middle without strengthening them up front. Atlético seemed open, vulnerable and oddly passive, unable to prevent Real coming at them. If they looked to the touchline for guidance, they did not find it. Simeone was still serving the ban he had picked up when these sides met in the Spanish Super Cup and sat encased in a glass fronted box high in the stands. Unusually, Atlético lost control. Diego Simeone had gone with two strikers, starting Raúl Jiménez alongside Mario Mandzukic, but it had little effect. Atlético seemed open, vulnerable and oddly passive, unable to prevent Real coming at them. If they looked to the touchline for guidance, they did not find it. Simeone was still serving the ban he had picked up when these sides met in the Spanish Super Cup and sat encased in a glass fronted box high in the stands.
Ronaldo shot wide from the right and there were three moments from Benzema. A horribly heavy touch prevented him from going one on one with Miguel Moyà after Ronaldo appeared to have played him in. Another shot flew wide. And then he leapt to head down Ronaldo’s superb cross, only for Moyà to react fast to get to the ball and push it away. When the half-time whistle went, though, Real had not yet found a way through. Ronaldo shot wide from the right and there were three moments from Benzema. A heavy touch prevented him from going one on one with Miguel Moyà after Ronaldo appeared to have played him in. Another shot flew wide. And then he leapt to head down Ronaldo’s superb cross, only for Moyà to react fast to get to the ball and push it away.
Atlético refound their composure during the break and while Real pushed, the game began to slow: the chances were as few as the passing exchanges. A harmless header from Bale was easily held by Moyà, moments after Atlético had seemed to open Real up only for Mandzukic to miss the run from Siqueira to his left and to stall before shifting his weight to shoot, thus denying himself the space to do so. And that was about that.Atlético refound their composure during the break and while Real pushed, the game began to slow: the chances were as few as the passing exchanges. A harmless header from Bale was easily held by Moyà, moments after Atlético had seemed to open Real up only for Mandzukic to miss the run from Siqueira to his left and to stall before shifting his weight to shoot, thus denying himself the space to do so. And that was about that.
The changes came relatively early: Turan and Griezmann for Jiménez and Gabi; Chicharito for Benzema and Isco for Bale. All of them by the 71st minute. Bale departed, head down. He had been unable to influence his 50th game for Real. The changes came relatively early: Turan and Griezmann on for Jiménez and Gabi, the Turk curling his shot just wide of the far post. Soon after, he came diving in to reach a header, but the ball again flashed wide. A moment later Turan had another opportunity. It began with a throw-in, Juanfran to Griezmann, who played it back. His low ball into the area reached Raúl García, but instead of striking it, Garcíafaked the shot and stepped over the ball, allowing it to run on to Turan who side-footed across Casillas and into the far corner.
Griezmann and Turan were the first to combine, a glimpse of the enormous impact that they were to have. This time, the Turk curled his shot just wide of the far post. Soon after, he came diving in to reach a header, but the ball again flashed wide. A moment later Turan had another opportunity.
It began with a throw-in. Juanfran threw to Griezmann, who wriggled away from pressure and played it back to Juanfran. His low ball into the area reached Raúl García, but instead of striking it, García faked the shot and stepped over the ball, allowing it to run on to Turan who side-footed a wonderful shot, first time, across Casillas and into the far corner.