Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Tactical Analysis

Real lacked a creative head in the midfield

Ancelotti went in to the game to prevent it from becoming an intense affair. He realised the pace that Atletico like to play at and attempted to take control by calming down the pace of the game.

Passes were constantly made back to the defence to assure Real were in control of the game. Sergio Ramos saw a lot of the ball as a result; 86 passes were attempted by him, the most on the pitch, which suggests how much of the ball he actually saw.

The Real captain came forward and collected the ball in an attempt to create something meaningful for the side as they lacked any such play in the side.

Xabi Alonso’s loss to injury really seems to be taking a toll on the Galacticos. The importance of such a player can never be underestimated, as Real have learnt.

Players like Khedira and Illarramendi, although brilliant in their own right, still lack that creative edge which is provided by a Alonso type player.

Real’s sale of Ozil is further bewildering in this regard as Real had absolutely nothing in terms of creativity. Ramos moved forward to compensate, leaving gaps at the back; Ronaldo dropped deep to attempt something, which reduced Real effectiveness in the final third.

Credits: Squawka.com

It just goes to show how despite having the best players, if you fail to maintain a balance in your side, you can’t succeed.

Ancelotti’s midfield was far too defensive minded and took Atletico’s solidity in midfield in account at the cost of their own creativity.

The Benzema tactic and Atleti’s defence

Many football experts don’t think highly of Karim Benzema and apparently neither did Diego Simeone.

Just as the Argentine ensured his own player, Diego Costa, wasn’t marked in the attacking third, he prevented his defenders from marking Real’s No.9, Benzema as well.

Atletico left the Frenchman free in his central role. Instead, the Atletico players spent their time marking Benzema’s passing options.

The likes of Ronaldo and Di Maria were closely monitored while Benzema himself was allowed a fair amount of time on the ball. As Simeone expected, the ex-Lyon man failed to deliver or maintain any form of link-up play with the rest of his team-mates.

Any passes that Benzema did attempt were quickly intercepted and gathered up by the Atletico defence. Diego Simeone’s men played a desperate yet disciplined game in the defensive third. They constantly had numbers back and regularly worked hard to ensure Real didn’t see too much of the ball in their final third.

Ancelotti’s decision to substitute youngster, Alvaro Morata, in for the striker further illustrates this point. Morata, who impressed at the U-21 European Championship (and was one of our players to watch out for), seems to have a more telling contribution and effect on the side. He has a lot of Morientes and Raul about him and seems to be the better striking option.

Morata also offers the option of playing off the shoulder of the last defence while Benzema fails to do so. Merely having a man in the final third can create opportunities for the side. But given the lack of creativity from midfield, any striker would struggle to perform.

Over to you! That was our analysis of the derby, was there anything particular that you (tactically) noticed? Let us know by dropping a comment below.