Real Madrid take the spoils in the second round of the Madrid derby thanks to an 87th minute goal from surprise starter, Chicharito.
After seeing little action up front for Los Blancos since signing from Manchester United, Javier Hernandez became an instant hero in Madrid when he scored one of the most crucial goals of his career to see Real Madrid through to the semi-finals past their city rivals.
The two teams, who have gone head-to-head in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and now the Champions League, played out a very civilized fixture in the Santiago Bernabeu just six miles across town from the Vicente Calderon that Atletico Madrid call home. The men in white were in control for the opening minutes, playing with the same calculated caution that they did in the first leg to secure a 0-0 away draw.
Atletico played with much more aggression than they did in the previous leg, pushing hard and constantly switching their point of attack. While they looked good playing the ball down the wing or building from the back, they struggled to get a shot off and only threatened Casillas’s goal twice in the entire game. The two teams played out an insanely dull first half considering the pressure that was mounting on both of them from their fans and the precious semi-final spot that was on the line. Real Madrid earned a few free kicks in the first forty five but neither James Rodriguez nor Cristiano Ronaldo could work their free kick magic to put their sides on the scoreline. Oblak made the necessary stops in goal for Atletico but he and his defenders read the game well and their anticipation saved them from some of the scrambles that they had in back during the first leg. The 0-0 held firm at the half as both teams went in for a much-needed team talk.
In the second forty five, Real Madrid turned up the heat. A brilliant ball from Isco picked out Chicharito, who had made a sneaky run through Atletico’s defense. His shot went just wide, but it was a sign of things to come from Los Blancos.
Both teams transitioned very well in the second half, making it hard for either side to find a gap for a game-changing pass or shot. Greizmann was once again the best man up top for Atletico Madrid but he made way for Raul Garcia in the 65th minute, a man who provided more aerial power and brute force up top than the slight Frenchman. With the change up top, Atletico began sending in higher crosses to Mandzukic and Raul Garcia but Casillas was quick off his line to scoop the ball up or Ramos would head it away. Their best chance in the air came in the 68th minute when Koke’s powerful header landed right in Casillas’s outstretched gloves.
In the 75th minute, with both teams still locked in an intensifying stalemate, Arda Turan and Ramos went in for a 50/50 ball. The Atletico player came away the victor, but his cleats had grazed the leg of Ramos and the referee showed him his second yellow of the match. Down to ten men, Atletico were still organized in back and were still able to send numbers forward but they wouldn’t have enough back to deal with a sudden burst of speed from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese striker carried the ball into the box and looked as though he fancied his chances with a one-on-one with Oblak. Chicharito was making an unchallenged run nearly parallel to Ronaldo to follow up the shot everyone anticipated but instead, Ronaldo made a selfless pass to the wide open striker and Chicharito slid in to push the ball into the net. Three minutes left in regulation time and Real Madrid found the breakthrough. Atletico pushed, but they were already defeated.
Los Blancos are through but Ancelotti’s men could have a tough run of it if they face a side like Bayern Munich or their league rivals Barcelona. They look stable enough in back, but the they can’t rely on Ronaldo’s free kicks to see them through to a Champions League final.
