World Champion Toni Kroos and Spain’s record champions Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 home defeat to local rivals Atlético Madrid. Real are currently third in the standings (54 points), now four points adrift Atlético, who are in second. Defending champions FC Barcelona and Germany international Marc-André ter Stegen are a further five points clear and still have a game in hand as they face FC Sevilla on Sunday evening.
France international Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal of the game in front of 79,436 spectators inside the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Atlético’s strong defence, having conceded just eleven goals in 26 games this season, held firm against the attacking talent of Real, which featured the likes of Kroos, Cristiana Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.
Real had more possession, but struggled to create clear chances against their Champions League competitors. Atlético remained compact in defence and waited for counter attacks. One of those opportunities was taken clinically by Griezmann following a fine interplay with Felipe Luis.
Antonio Rüdiger, on the other hand, was victorious with AS Roma, who won 3-1 at Empoli and now have Champions League qualification in their sights again after moving up to third place for the time being. A brace for Stephan El Shaarawy and one from Miralem Pjanic sought to Roma’s win after an own goal by Ervin Zukanovic had earlier put Empoli on level terms. Shortly before the end, Empoli’s Mario Rui received his second yellow card of the game and was given his marching orders. Rüdiger completed the game at centre back.
World Champion Toni Kroos and Spain’s record champions Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 home defeat to local rivals Atlético Madrid. Real are currently third in the standings (54 points), now four points adrift Atlético, who are in second. Defending champions FC Barcelona and Germany international Marc-André ter Stegen are a further five points clear and still have a game in hand as they face FC Sevilla on Sunday evening.
France international Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal of the game in front of 79,436 spectators inside the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Atlético’s strong defence, having conceded just eleven goals in 26 games this season, held firm against the attacking talent of Real, which featured the likes of Kroos, Cristiana Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.
Real had more possession, but struggled to create clear chances against their Champions League competitors. Atlético remained compact in defence and waited for counter attacks. One of those opportunities was taken clinically by Griezmann following a fine interplay with Felipe Luis.
Antonio Rüdiger, on the other hand, was victorious with AS Roma, who won 3-1 at Empoli and now have Champions League qualification in their sights again after moving up to third place for the time being. A brace for Stephan El Shaarawy and one from Miralem Pjanic sought to Roma’s win after an own goal by Ervin Zukanovic had earlier put Empoli on level terms. Shortly before the end, Empoli’s Mario Rui received his second yellow card of the game and was given his marching orders. Rüdiger completed the game at centre back.
