Real Madrid’s Optimistic Outlook
Real Madrid emerged victorious from the first leg of their Champions League derby against Atletico Madrid, securing a 2-1 lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The result was a testament to the team’s tactical acumen and individual brilliance, with key contributions from players like Raul Asencio, Brahim Diaz, and Julian Alvarez. Asencio, who started alongside Antonio Rudiger in the defense, replacing David Alaba, was particularly pleased with the team’s performance. “We are entering a Champions League phase in which all the matches will be decided by small details,” he told Real Madrid, as quoted by MD. Asencio acknowledged Atletico’s quality but praised his team for their dominance, stating, “We knew about Atletico’s quality, but we did a great job dominating from start to finish. We are left with the good individual performances we had.”
Celebrating Key Moments
Both goals in the first half—by Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz—played a crucial role in shaping the match. Asencio highlighted their significance, saying, “Both goals have helped the team. They came at very opportune moments and gave us extra motivation to continue facing the different situations that arose in the game.” Diaz’s second-half goal was particularly memorable, a moment of individual brilliance that shifted the momentum entirely in Real Madrid’s favor. Diaz, visibly elated, expressed his feelings, “A goal here is always something incredible because when you wear this shirt, you always have to give it your all. We played a complete match. My goal is enough but we still have to give it our all in the return leg.”
Overcoming Adversity
Asencio also addressed a personal matter, reflecting on his recent experience of being substituted at halftime against Real Sociedad, which was met with chants of ‘Asencio, die’. “I feel very, very good on a day-to-day basis. I feel very comfortable facing these types of matches. I am surrounded by good people, I thank my teammates and the coaching staff for everything they do for me. I hope it continues like this for a long time,” he said. Despite the challenging moment, Asencio’s resilience and team spirit were evident, underlining the importance of support and camaraderie in the high-pressure world of football.
Atletico Madrid’s Determined Response
From Atletico Madrid’s perspective, the defeat was a source of disappointment, but it also provided valuable insights. Clement Lenglet was among those who felt that the match was not over yet and emphasized the team’s potential to cause significant damage to Real Madrid. “Right after the match there was a bit of disappointment because we wanted more than just a 2-1 defeat. But also seeing the game, we have seen that we are capable of doing a lot of damage to this team, of understanding well when we have to have possession, when we have to attack, when we have to defend, when we have to drop deeper, and well, the return leg is going to be a demanding match again, but this does not end today,” he explained. Lenglet’s comments reflect a sense of determination and a strategic approach to the second leg.
Focus on Correction and Unity
Marcos Llorente shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the importance of correcting the team’s mistakes. “The feeling that the second leg is still to come, that we are alive and we have to correct the mistakes we have made and go for the second leg,” Llorente told Movistar+ (via Marca). He emphasized the need for focus and communication, adding, “There are 90 minutes left at home with our people and we are looking forward to it. They are very fast and very good, any half mistake you make…” Llorente’s words convey a strong sense of unity and a clear plan to leverage their home advantage in the upcoming match.
Preparing for the Next Challenges
Looking ahead, both teams will face local derbies in La Liga this weekend. Atletico Madrid will take on Getafe, a clash between two of the league’s best defenses, which promises to be a tightly contested affair. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will host Rayo Vallecano, a team that has shown they can hold their own against the giants, as evidenced by their 3-3 draw earlier this season. The pressure of the Champions League will undoubtedly loom over these matches, but both sides are likely to employ rotation to ensure their stars are fresh for the second leg. Julian Alvarez, who scored a wondergoal for Atletico, summed up the team’s mindset, “The goal was good, it was good to tie the game and we had chances to score, now we have a game at the weekend and we have to think about that. Then there are 90 minutes at home with our people.” Alvarez’s goal and the team’s resilience offer a glimmer of hope for Atletico fans as they look forward to the decisive match at the Metropolitano.
