#CultClashes: Passion, intensity, joy and despair – the Madrid Derby
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Having met 23 times in just the last five years, you may have been forgiven for thinking the Madrid derby may have lost its edge, but that would be to woefully disrespect two of the most passionate sets of football fans Europe has to offer.
Atletico’s emergence into regular big-time players in Spain has added an extra dimension to the ultra-intense El derbi madrilèno, and the pair fought out eight gut-busting clashes last season alone.
Real have the money, Real have Ronaldo, Atletico have the never-say-die attitude, Atletico have Diego Simeone.
Both teams have conceded points to Barcelona in this year’s title race which they are unlikely to claw back, and so this weekend will likely be all about one thing – pride.
Ahead of this famous duel, Ladbrokes News have cast their eye back at some of the best in recent years…
Real 0-1 Atletico – Sept 2013 (Eight yellow cards)
The scoreline suggests this wasn’t a rip-roaring affair, but Atletico’s narrow win was crucial in their ultimately successful and globally applauded La Liga success of 2013-14.
Having won the opening six games of the campaign, Simeone’s men had their first proper test at the Bernabeu. A certain Diego Costa proved the difference to make it seven from seven in a match where they could have scored more.
Atletico would win their opening eight, and seal their famous championship on the final day with a 1-1 draw away at Barcelona.
The victory also marked the end of Real’s 11-game winning streak in the derby.
Atletico 2-2 Real – March 2014 (Five yellow cards)
Victory for Real would have sent them six points ahead of their local rivals in a three-way title chase.
Karim Benzema’s early strike had many wondering if Atletico’s title hopes were over, but Koke levelled on the half hour before Gabi Fernandez produced one of the derby’s all-time strikes on the stroke of half-time.
Ronaldo would ensure a spoil of the points late on, but by denying Real the win, Atletico had done their part. Simeone’s side then went on a nine-game winning streak to win the league. It had all seemed so far out of reach when Benzema put Real ahead.
Atletico 4-0 Real – Feb 2015 (Seven yellow cards)
If you aren’t going to win the league, you may as well make sure your City rivals can’t do so either.
Simeone’s Rojiblancos had already won 2-1 at the Bernabeu in September, but Ronaldo and co would win 17 of their next 18 games before the Madrid pair met again at the Vicente Calderon.
Real had netted 65 goals in that spell, but they came completely unstuck against Juanfran, Miranda et al as Atletico romped to a 4-0 success against a stunned Los Blancos.
Talk about rattled. Real would fail to win three of their next six games and lose a title race they had lead for four months.
Atletico 1-4 Real April 2012 (Five yellow cards)
Real had already triumphed by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture, but knew a slip up at the Calderon would see Barcelona close the four-point gap.
Thankfully for Los Galacticos, Ronaldo was at his inspired best to fire home a stunning free-kick past Thibaut Courtois.
Radamel Falcao levelled shortly after the interval, but Ronnie would net twice more before Jose Callejon rounded off the rout. The win marked the start of an eight-game winning streak to round off the season and claim La Liga.
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico May 2014 (12 yellow cards)
Football can be a cruel mistress. Atletico, having claimed that La Liga title, were going for a stunning League and European double, when Diego Godin put them ahead after 36 minutes in Lisbon, the dream looked on.
But it wasn’t to be. Sergio Ramos, of all people, headed Real level with less than three minutes of the added five remaining.
A knackered, beleaguered Atletico, who had given their all throughout a bruising campaign, crumbled and Real fired in three-goals in extra-time to seal a historic Decima.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
