The league is still the same after a controversial derby

Soto Grado was the referee for the derby. De Burgos Bengoetxea was his assistant in the VAR. All of Spain knew who the real protagonists were in the match between first and second in the Spanish league. The goals set for the referees by Real Madrid, but also the pressure thanks to the tweets from Atlético de Madrid. 

Ancelotti's line-up once again left a defence half-formed. He puts Asencio in almost out of obligation and Tchouaméni out of devotion, although in his defence it must be said that Militao, Alaba and Rüdiger were not available and it was not the game to field homegrown player Jacobo in a match of this level. But the Italian insists on fielding him and then saying in the press room that he had a good game to justify his mistakes. 

Ceballos has taken control of Real Madrid's midfield. He risked a red card after a criminal stomp on Barrios' ankle that the referee settled with yellow cards because the ball was in play between the two. 

Atlético de Madrid looked to attack through Tchouaméni. The midfielder has not quite made the transition to centre-back and lacks the movement typical of that type of player. It is not the first time that his shortcomings have been exposed until the seams broke in a lunge on Lino that activated the VAR and Soto Grado pointed to the penalty spot while Ancelotti threw his hands up in horror.

A trampling in the box. Without looking at the ball. It's an inappropriate gesture for a centre-back. A textbook penalty. But, to be fair, it must be said that the ball had gone wide and Lino was no longer a threat to Real Madrid. It was time to interpret and that means holding tight to the rules. No applying common sense.

Penalty that Julián Álvarez scored with a Panenka-style shot for the delight of Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister who had a seat in the box alongside other personalities such as Martínez Almeida, the mayor of Madrid. Also there was Marcelo who, now retired from football, received a well-deserved tribute from Modric as the player who has won the most titles wearing the white shirt.

In the second half, Real Madrid came out to bite their rivals. Oblak saved everything, until a move by Vinicius ended in a bad shot by Bellingham that Mbappé pushed into the net. Vinicius suffered off the wing and it shows that that forward line is not working well, three masters who are incapable of creating goal-scoring moves. 

Simeone's side shook off the dominance of the Whites thanks to a perfect defence, like those of Atletico's great seasons. A Bellingham header against the post and a Vinicius shot that went out for a corner were the two clearest chances for the home side. 

Simeone made five changes to his bench, including Sorloth, in search of a goal. Ancelotti was slow to make changes and it was not until the 80th minute that Camavinga, Brahim and Modric came on with no time left. 

The derby ended in a dull draw that changes nothing. Real Madrid remain top and Atlético second. Barcelona come into play with their win in Seville and all three will be fighting it out for the league in the final few games, although with the Whites more fatigued after that battle against City in the Champions League.