“How about that penalty?” Costa might demand of Ramos, as he and several of
his Atlético colleagues did, noisily, of referee Delgado Ferreiro after just
11 minutes, when the rugged Real defender appeared to trip the Atlético
striker, who tumbled with feathery lightness. No penalty, ruled Ferreiro.
What of the stunt Costa pulled to win a free-kick against Ramos later in the
first half, the Real player might ask, muttering that the ball had clearly
gone out of play when Costa took another fall? At which point Xabi Alonso,
another Spain grandee, might find it hard to keep quiet about the dive Costa
gratuitously made when tripped by the midfielder early in the second half.
Of the derby’s many sub-plots, Ramos against Costa was seldom less than
riveting, but often not very edifying as an advertisement for La Liga’s
on-field ethics.
Spain’s league is cradle of the most serially successful national squad in
history largely because it produces the technical excellence of an Alonso,
or a Koke, yet another clever attacking midfielder now promoted to La Roja
thanks to his contribution to Atlético’s rise. But it can also seem a
hothouse of simulation.
The national coach, Vicente Del Bosque, would have winced from time to time on
Sunday. He has spent long periods in the job concerned about episodes of
bitchiness between Spain colleagues during three years of spiteful Real
versus Barcelona
tussles when Jose Mourinho coached Real.
Atlético and Real, meeting for the third time already this year – Real
defeated their capital cousins in the Copa del Rey semi-final — is now a
rivalry at risk of taking on a vengeful edge. “Atlético wanted a violent
game and that made it hard for us,” said Carlo Ancelotti, Real’s head coach,
on Sunday night.
Real had led very early, building on their encouraging recent form. Karim
Benzema, scorer of two goals in the 6-1 demolition of Schalke in Germany in
the Champions League last Wednesday, registered his 15th of the league
campaign after barely two minutes, well placed, and onside — Atlético’s
players, coaching staff and about 45,000 loyalists all doubted that — to
meet Ángel di María’s cross. Real threatened further through Benzema and
Cristiano Ronaldo before Atlético began to impose their energetic, pressing
game.
After various spats, several involving Costa, and a card for diving issued to
Pepe, Ramos’s defensive partner, Atlético equalised through Koke’s firm,
angled shot across Diego López. They then took the lead thanks to a
spectacular strike, Atlético captain Gabi’s 35-yard missile.
That was just before half-time. Real, losers in the first Liga derby back in
September, felt stunned. They have been maintaining elevated defensive
standards since they returned from their winter break and these were only
the fifth and sixth goals Ramos, Pepe and company had conceded in 16 matches.
They went into the break facing some alarming possibilities: being leapfrogged
in the table by Atlético, and suffering their first Liga loss at the
Calderón since 1998.
To the rescue came Ronaldo, after some telling alterations by Ancelotti. He
introduced the two full-backs, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo, who have served
him best in the last two months, in place of Álvaro Arbeloa, who has been
dropped by Del Bosque, and Fabio Coentrao.
Carvajal’s determined run set up Real’s second goal, his cutback deflected
towards Gareth Bale. Initially Bale looked to line up a volley but prudently
saw Ronaldo, deeper, best placed to swing at the bouncing ball. The
Portuguese’s 23rd goal in La Liga – his 37th across competitions — looks
perhaps his most important yet, for keeping his team top.
As for Bale, he had a busy, but relatively quiet game, although he might, with
an elegant, unexpected back-heel, have created a late winner for Benzema.
The Frenchman, gratefully teeing up a shot, was incorrectly ruled offside.
That bad call would arm madridistas with an injustice to nourish and later
feed into the many late-night radio phone-ins, always busy after an Atlético
versus Real game, and especially so when the two clubs are in a situation,
unprecedented so far this century, where they are proper title rivals going
into the last third of the season.
For Del Bosque, whose champions take centre stage for the next three days, the
close, three-club race for La Liga can look a double-edged sword. A more
competitive domestic scenario is welcome in raising standards, but it also
risks creating new enmities, formenting grudges.
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