Real Madrid, winning every which way

Real Madrid could easily have dropped half the title race in a derby full of twists, but its competitive edge and current confidence are now weapons that go beyond pure soccer quality. Through grit and talent, especially from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr., Madrid stayed on Barcelona’s heels and won a game that did not suit its approach. If Manchester City allowed them space, Atlético Madrid never did. Still, that reality did not stop Álvaro Arbeloa’s team.

Madrid’s resurgence is the result of a clear plan and a set of decisions that need to be sustained over time. Arbeloa has stayed on that path with conviction, waiting to see if things shift again after the international break. The only real change was Dani Carvajal coming in, seemingly as a response to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lateness to training, though his performance at the Etihad may also have played a role. Kylian Mbappé had to wait. No one had done enough to lose their place, and Arbeloa acted with both logic and fairness, two qualities that define his management.

Across the touchline, Diego Simeone also made minimal adjustments, bringing in Koke to try to bring order to midfield. It did not go much further than that, as the captain is no longer quite the player he once was.

Madrid struggled against Atlético

Madrid ran into the type of game that truly troubles them. Atlético’s deep, compact block smothered their attack, which immediately felt the absence of a traditional striker in the box as a solution to Simeone’s setup. Madrid lacked depth, even if Tchouaméni and Valverde threatened and Brahim Díaz consistently tried to create danger. The overall play lacked sharpness, exposing collective issues in buildup.

In that context, Atlético rarely felt under real pressure. Even with a defensive structure less airtight than Simeone might have preferred, they did a solid job defending width and remained dangerous in transition, capitalizing on occasional breakdowns in Madrid’s pressing. Antoine Griezmann linked play effectively, supported by Julián Álvarez, while Ademola Lookman repeatedly pulled Carvajal out of position. Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone also found space out wide.

Atlético achieved what it set out to do by taking the lead, but it ran into Madrid’s pride. At times, that is their greatest asset. Madrid turned the game around through a display of personality, effort and quality. Through Valverde and Vinicius, players who underpin their title ambitions, they found a way back and refused to let LaLiga slip away. Understanding Madrid’s current success means understanding the evolution of those two players, once uncertain under Xabi Alonso, now decisive and dominant under Arbeloa.

The comeback was embodied by Valverde and Vinicius, though it was also aided by Atlético’s fragile defending. Simeone’s side made too many mistakes at the back, something José María Giménez can attest to. Still, Atlético’s priorities now lie elsewhere, and a defeat is manageable in the standings.

For Madrid, anything other than victory was unthinkable. Right now, they are winning in every way and under any circumstances.

Exploiting the weak side

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball-carrying disrupted Atlético’s shape, while Mbappé’s decoy run pulled Llorente out of position and opened space for Vinicius to receive. A goal born of pure talent.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.