'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid played out an intense goalless affair in the Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernebau on Saturday night. Los Blancos were the far more dominant team but couldn't capitalize on their chances and had to settle for a point.
Atletico didn't seem to have any problems sitting back and defending for larger portions of the game and conclusively, looked the happier side at the final whistle as they came away with a point.
Real's poor domestic form off-late has seen them squander their chance of overtaking Barcelona in the league table. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone's side remains in fourth place on 12 points and return home next week against Real Betis.
On that note, here are the hits and flops from the game:
#5 Hit - Toni Kroos
In spite of Real Madrid failing to find the net in the derby, Toni Kroos did prove to be one of their best outfield players on the night. The German playmaker recorded the highest number of touches in the game, 119 and was very influential with his precision in passing and distribution.
Kroos didn't let the Atletico Madrid players breathe a sigh of relief as his activeness and energy in midfield made the opponents work tirelessly throughout the night. If it wasn't for the poor finishing of his teammates, the 28-year-old could have easily bagged two or three assists to his name.
Along with a few attempts at goal, Kroos played in four key passes and 11 successful long balls that included a total of 104 completed passes on the night. At the same time, the midfielder ensured to track back and help out in defence as he chipped in with a couple of neat tackles and won the ball back for his side.
#4 Flop - Diego Costa
Diego Costa is currently enduring the worst phases of his professional career. The former Chelsea hitman last scored for Atletico Madrid in the league seven months back, in February 2018, of last season.
The case was no different for Costa against neighbours Real Madrid last night as he struggled to settle into the game and once again ended up having a torrid week. Costa had a golden opening to give Atleti the lead but squandered his one on one chance and ended up with a very weak effort on goal.
Similarly, the Spaniard's involvement in the attacking build-ups also looked far from pleasing. Costa had only 29 touches of the ball, racked up just one attempt at goal and his distribution was also very poor, as he finished only 60% of his total passes before being taken off in the 68th minute.
Initially, after his arrival, Costa seemed to have found the ideal partner in Antoine Griezmann and had developed a great deal of understanding with him on the pitch. But, as history suggests, only one of them has profited from the partnership up front thus far whereas the other is lacking confidence.
#3 Hit - Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois faced former club Atletico Madrid for the first time in the Madrid derby on Saturday. The Belgian was in the midst of hate and abuse from the away fans as they looked to get revenge against the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
However, Courtois didn't let any of the pre-match proceedings affect his morale heading into the game. The 26-year-old stood tall, looked calm and composed and put one of his best performances since joining Real in the summer.
Twice, Atleti had the chance to take the lead through Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa. But, Courtois stepped up and denied the duo on both occasions to prevent Real from falling behind and kept his clean sheet intact.
Firstly, Diego Simeone's men broke through on the counter-attack as Griezmann avoided the offside trap and was set free towards goal. The Frenchman's burst of pace made it hard for Real's backline to catch up but Courtois bravely came out of goal and saved Griezmann's shot outside the six-yard region to keep the game scoreless.
Similarly, Costa has also created a glorious one on one opportunity to put the Rojiblancos in front but there was no going through former Chelsea shot-stopper as Courtois came out of his area once more to deny his former teammate a goal and guaranteed a point for his new club.
#2 Flop - Gareth Bale
There is no doubt that Atletico Madrid is Gareth Bale's bogey team. Its been four years since the Welshman scored against the Rojiblancos in the league and it was hardly a surprise that his goal drought stretched further on Saturday night.
Similarly, Bale's domestic form has been on the downward in recent weeks as the 29 year old hasn't found the back of the net in his last four games. The same continued in the Madrid derby with Bale once again having a poor outing and was consequently, substituted at halftime.
During his 45 minute spell on the pitch, the winger could muster up just 24 touches of the ball which included just one successful cross and a pass completion rate of only 73%. Bale had a solitary effort on target in the process but his shot wasn't powerful enough to trouble Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Bale and Real Madrid's dip in form has come at the same time. Manager Julen Lopetegui needs to sort out these issues imminently as his Star player's recent slump seems to have affected the rest of the team as their over-dependability on Bale has seen them not get the desired results.
#1 Hit - Jose Gimenez
Jose Gimenez is slowly climbing up the ranks as one of the best defenders in Spanish football. The 23 year old's display against Real Madrid was nothing short of remarkable as his individual brilliance helped his team claim a well-deserved point in the Madrid derby.
Playing alongside skipper Diego Godin also seems to have improved Gimenez immensely as he has grasped the qualities of defensive awareness and leadership from the veteran Uruguayan centre-back.
All of the above reflected within Gimenez in a tightly contested Madrid derby as he outshone his partner and proved to be a wall at the back for the Real Madrid attackers. The Uruguayan was focused and made multiple clearances, putting a break on Real Madrid's build-up and forced them to restart.
At the same time, Gimenez also chipped in and got himself involved going forward as he played in a couple of decent long balls from for the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and others.
