Real Madrid 0-0 Atletico Madrid: 5 Talking Points, LaLiga 2018/19

As far as derby matches go, this will not live long in the memory. Built up as a game which may define the title race, the game turned out to be a dampener. Not that the teams didn’t try, instead both teams were so busy neutralizing each other to such an extent, that it was difficult to gauge which of them was actually trying to get a result.

A reflection of the statistics will also verify the scrappy nature of the tie between both sides, with 24 fouls committed. Atletico were the winners by a clear margin committing 17 fouls in comparison to 7 by the home team. That said, both teams will reflect on a missed opportunity to go top of the league, having seen Barcelona being held to a draw by Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day.

Here is a look at the five talking points from the Madrid Derby:

#1. Bale injury hampers Real Madrid’s night

Lopetegui was a relieved man at the end of the game having seen his side battered at times by the fluidity of Atletico’s play. But the cause for concern for the Los Blancos coach was the thigh injury which Gareth Bale sustained towards the end of the first half.

Real Madrid CF v Club Atletico de Madrid -Bale's injury a cause of concern

The Welshman has been plagued with significant hamstring injuries over the past few years. One had expected him to fill the void after the departure of Ronaldo and he has kicked off the campaign in some style with 3 goals.

The winger’s display was one of the highlights during the mid-week defeat to Sevilla, and the recurrence of the hamstring injury will be a cause of concern for the squad if they are to compete on all fronts domestically and in Europe.

#2. Simeone’s side will feel hard done by

Simeone hollers out instructions in the Madrid derby

In the 31st minute, Atletico Madrid had a chance to win a penalty when the ball veered off of Casemiro’s arm. For Atletico who had dominated the game until then, it would have been a deserved reward, however, the referee waved play on and Atletico were left to reflect on what could have been.

VAR has been introduced in La Liga this season and if there was a point in the game, when VAR should have come into play, then this was it. Filipe Luis having picked out his compatriot Saul’s run, made the pass and the subsequent cross by Saul was blocked by Casemiro, who seemed to raise his arm.

Simeone’s side had other opportunities in the game as well, which could have given them a victory but they were spurned and the Argentine coach was left to reflect on what could have been.

#3. Real spark appears too late

Vinicius Junior made his debut finally

Exhaustion was billed as a factor coming in for both sides in this derby. Real Madrid who had a testing mid-week never looked like scoring. This was the first time that Real Madrid failed to score in successive La Liga matches since 2011. In fact, by half-time, it was Courtois who had more touches than Gareth Bale.

The game did spark for Madrid after the introduction of Vinicius Junior who did his reputation no harm. The teenager though came on only in the 88th minute and in doing so became the first ever player born in 2000 to play a competitive game for Real Madrid.

There was a moment when it seemed the Brazilian was onto something as he scuttled past two Atletico players before being outnumbered by three more Atletico players. Having replaced Benzema, who in turn was whistled off, he seemed to offer more excitement and movement than the veteran French striker.

#4. Oblak’s burgeoning reputation deserves praise

Oblak's reputation continues to soar

Maybe the Slovenian keeper wouldn’t have got that many plaudits had Griezmann taken his chances in the first half. Oblak was the replacement for the Belgian, Thibaut Courtois, summoned back by his parent club Chelsea having been on loan with Atletico.

And he has handled the responsibility admirably. He is one of the top keepers in the world and was on hand to deny Madrid and Asensio, in particular, quite a number of times. Saves in the 50th and 66th minute were the standout moments.

There was a moment in the game which could have been dubious as he passed right to Marco Asensio, who couldn’t take advantage and thanks to his reflex skills was able to recover and hold onto the shot. The keeper was also on hand to palm away a Dani Carvajal strike and did well whenever he was called into action.

#5. A game of keepers, but Atletico will look back on a missed opportunity

Former Chelsea mates now foes - Courtois and Costa face-off in the Madrid derby

As far as disappointments go, this was not too bad a game. Instead, Atletico will look upon this game as a missed chance to go top of the league table. Undoubtedly, the Los Rojiblancos were the better side in the first half and had the better chances.

Thibaut Courtois and Oblak were the headline makers in this derby game and it was thanks to their displays that the game ended in a stalemate. Both keepers matched each other save for save and helped their respective sides stay in the game.

Costa applied himself in the game to create openings for his fellow striker Griezmann. Lemar and Partey also had decent outings as they took the game to Madrid. All in all, Real Madrid for a considerable period looked like they were holding on with the clearer chances falling to Atletico. Despite Real Madrid dominating possession, Atletico had their opportunities to put the game to bed.

Simeone’s side deserved a point from the game but will regret the missed opportunity in a game where the keepers were the real heroes.