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Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF reacts defeated as behind Mario Mandzukic of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their fourth goalFor the first time since 1999, Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid at home in the league and moved to within four points of the leaders. Tiago opened the scoring for the hosts in the 14th minute as Iker Casillas failed to keep out a tame effort from the edge of the box.Saul, who had only just come on for the injured Koke, scored with a wonderful overhead kick to make it 2-0 within a few more minutes. Although Real Madrid enjoyed a lot more possession in the rest of the half, they failed to create anything and it was Atletico who scored the game’s next goal via Antoine Griezmann.Mario Mandzukic capped off a wonderful performance with a goal in the final minute of normal time to make it 4-0 and extend Atletico’s unbeaten run over Real this season.Here are the five major talking points from the game.
#1 Inexperienced Real defence taken apart by Atletico
Given Atletico Madrid's physical, aggressive approach, it isn't much of a surprise if they dominate opponents in the air. But the loss of their two main central defenders in Sergio Ramos and Pepe meant that Real Madrid had to go with Nacho and Raphael Varane, two players who hadn't featured too often this season.
Their inexperience showed as Mandzukic simply bullied them all afternoon. While Casillas didn't help his defenders with his performance, it is fair to say that defensively, Real were in complete and utter shambles on Saturday.
With their main centre backs still some way away from full fitness, Carlo Ancelotti has to find a way to make things work at the back. Because if he doesn't, Real will be ripped apart by any side that is good in the air.
#2 Role reversal at the Calderon
Both Madrid sides have a clear identity when it comes to how they play. While Real dominate the ball and create loads of opportunities through pace and precise passing, Atletico stay defensively solid and count on their ability to counter attack and win the battles in the air.
On Saturday, the roles were reversed as Real started the game without showing too much intent on going forward and doing much attacking. Atletico, on the other hand, dominated the possession early in the game and started to press forward with a lot more intent and purpose.
Although they sat back later in the game, they still broke forward at considerable pace, whereas Real Madrid failed to create a single noteworthy chance and failed to score for the first time in the league this season.
#3 Atletico\'s desire the difference between the two sides
Not everyone is a fan of Simeone and the methods he employs at Atletico. But if there is one reason the fans love him, it is because of the desire that his teams show to win not just every game, but also every tackle and every battle on the pitch.
On Saturday, it was their desire to win that was the difference between two very talented sides. While Real can point to injuries as a reason for their downfall, it is important to note that Atletico's most important attacker, Koke, went off injured early in the game.
The home side simply wanted the win more and that was evident in every tackle and the fact that they won every single ball in the air. At times, the visitors looked as though they couldn't care less and that is precisely what will worry Ancelotti, more than the margin of this defeat to their fierce rivals.
#4 Title race thrown wide open
After Real Madrid saw off Sevilla to go four points clear at the top of the league, many thought that this would be the defining game, as far as Atletico are concerned. Already seven points behind, the Rojiblancos knew that a defeat would certainly mean that exclusion from the title race.
But a win now means that not only are they four points behind Real, who are top, but they are also level with Barcelona, who have a tricky away tie at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. With Real Madrid and Barcelona still to play each other, Simeone's side have managed to get back on track to reclaim their title and even if they don't win it, after the 4-0 victory, they have certainly opened the door for the Catalans.
The cat has been set among the pigeons in the La Liga.
#5 Referee keeps a lid on feisty encounter
Such is the state of refereeing in Spain that not a game goes by without some mention of the man in the middle. But in a crucial game such as this, David Fernandez showed plenty of strength and appeared to be in control throughout the game.
If there is one thing that infuriates managers more than anything else, it is inconsistency when it comes to tight calls. But at the Vicente Calderon, the Spanish referee, who at the start was lenient when it came to strong tackles, continued to do so for the rest of the game.
Although things started to get messy towards the end as frustration started to get the better of the Real players, the Spaniard still managed to keep a lid on things and showed that as long as you are consistent and don't let the crowd cloud your judgement, you will always make the right call.
