Four days after the 5-2 gala in the Champions League at Liverpool FC, Spain’s record champions Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 (0-0) draw in the madrileno derbi against Atletico.
Jose Maria Gimenez (78th) scored the opening goal for the guests, Alvaro (85th) managed to equalize.
With 52 points, the royals reduced the gap to leaders FC Barcelona to seven points for at least one day, but on Sunday Barca can extend the lead at UD Almeria (6.30 p.m. / DAZN).
Atletico are fourth in La Liga with 42 points. From the 64th Atletico had to play outnumbered after Angel Correa received a red card for assaulting national player Antonio Rüdiger.
In addition to Rüdiger, Real’s starting line-up also included Rio World Champion Toni Kroos, who was substituted in the 63rd minute. Ex-Munich David Alaba was absent due to a muscle injury.
It was the third duel between the two arch-rivals from Madrid this season. Real had won the first leg 2-1, and in the quarter-finals of the cup (3-1 aet) the royals had kept the better end for themselves.