Atlético and Real Madrid honour a timeless Copa derby that leaves the champions out of the running
The singer Ana Mena said in the song "Un Clásico" that meeting her ex in the street was like a Copa derby. A "I want to and I can't" where the poster sells much more than the reality on the pitch. And so it was until Atlético de Madrid decided to up the intensity of their matches against their eternal rivals. That hatred of madridismo was embodied in Vinicius hanging from a bridge and everyone got in their trenches.
The Super Cup derby went to Real Madrid who crushed Atletico Madrid in Riyadh. But the Copa del Rey derby was for Simeone's side, whom the Metropolitano carried in their arms on a night of those that gradually forge the walls of a stadium to be made. The fans were there and the players knew it was their ace up their sleeve to put the pressure on the white and whites when things got complicated.
Real Madrid's goalkeeping was in chaotic times. Lunin's game was not what was expected of a starter and that is just what Ancelotti needed to see as he defends the veteran Kepa in decisive moments against a rookie. He can be blamed for Morata's goal, but he lacked more presence in Lino's goal and even in Griezmann's goal where he didn't come out convinced to stop the Frenchman's shot.
On the other side, Oblak didn't help either. The 1-1 draw was a clear mistake of his that sent a heartbreaking message to the red and white fans. If their lock was capable of conceding that goal after the effort to take the lead, what else could happen to them. Joselu's goal that sent the game into extra time awoke all the ghosts of the knockout rounds of the past.
Duel between Simeone and Ancelotti
But Simeone knew how to put the necessary legs in the decisive positions. Ancelotti, on the other hand, pulled out all his artillery and saw Camavinga have to retire injured. The match ended with 34 players taking part and the referee showed 13 yellow cards. Two facts that explain the physical display of both teams and the need for Atlético de Madrid to win this Copa derby above all else.
Brahim is a problem for Ancelotti. Blessed problem because the Spanish-Moroccan turns games around with his presence and asks, based on good play, to be a starter. Bellingham needs rest and showed in extra time that, even if he plays exhausted, he does not make mistakes and can contribute something to the team.
Atletico put themselves in the hands of Griezmann, who scored a great goal to seal the game. Vinicius' mistake in midfield was magnified until the Frenchman stood in front of Lunin and, with no angle, put the ball in the top corner and provoked the delirium of the crowd who sang the goal as if their lives depended on it. Simeone's delirium would be difficult to explain to a Martian who might think that this state of euphoria could be due to the achievement of, for example, the Champions League. But it was a cup derby.
The attrition of both teams was absolute. A Copa derby honoured from the first minute to the 121st that leaves Atlético de Madrid in one of the competitions that can save the season after having thrown away the league months ago.
Real Madrid abandon the tournament they lifted last year and focus on stopping Girona and their Champions League game against Leipzig in mid-February. No one is throwing away the Cup, but this break comes in handy for a miracle team that has picked up serious injuries in key positions and can win La Liga and go a long way in Europe.
