2 October 2006, by Sean Gillen

Madrid derby: Impressive Atletico let Real off the hook

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid were left to rue missed chances after coming away from the Santiago Bernabeu with just a point, having got the better of their city rivals for most of the Madrid derby on Sunday evening.

Portuguese midfielder Maniche started his first game for Atletico since his summer move from Dynamo Moscow, with manager Javier Aguirre opting to leave countryman Costinha and Ze Castro on the substitutes bench.

The visitors gave a clear sign of their intentions in the first minute of the game when Martin Petrov cut in from the left wing and fired a right foot shot as Casillas, which the Real goalkeeper saved comfortably.

Just five minutes later and Los Rojiblancos went ahead, taking advantage of some poor defending from their more illustrious neighbours. Fernando Torres flicked a ball up to Maxi Rodriguez, who headed down to Mista inside the box for the former Valencia striker to prod the ball past Casillas.

After good spells of possession, Atletico should have doubled their lead when Maniche missed an excellent opportunity. A swift counter attack involving Fernando Torres resulted in the former Porto man being played in on the edge of the area, but Maniche toe-poked the ball over the bar.

Martin Petrov volleyed narrowly off target from outside the box before Real got a somewhat undeserved equaliser when Raul met a Guti cross with a clinical first-time finish with his right foot. The goal was Real’s first attempt on goal in the match.

Maniche then registered a much better effort on goal five minutes before the break when his well-struck shot from 25 metres took a slight deflection, forcing Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas into an excellent save.

Atletico were given further incentive to try to make their possession pay when Real defender Sergio Ramos was dismissed for a second yellow card shortly after the hour mark for a challenge on Torres.

The visitors introduced Argentine teen sensation Sergio Aguero as they searched for a winner, and the 18-year-old went close almost immediately. Torres skipped past Real defender Fabio Cannavaro and played Aguero in on the inside right of the area, only for the youngster’s first time effort to be kept out by a world-class save from Casillas, down to his left.

Atletico defender Pablo Ibanez may have found the target with a header from a Petrov free-kick and Maniche hit another long distance effort at Casillas as the away side pressed further for what would be a sensational victory.

Substitute Aguero should have made himself an instant hero amongst the Atletico fans when he exchanged a neat one-two with Torres and found himself through on goal, only to attempt an elaborate chipped finish and make a mess of the chance.

The match ended all square and although Atletico manager Javier Aguirre would probably have accepted a point before kick-off, there is no doubt that Atletico would have been thoroughly deserving of a first victory at the Bernabeu since the 1999/2000 season.

The point sees Atletico slip down to 5th in La Liga, with ten points from their opening five games. After a two-week international break, Atletico resume their league campaign with a home clash with newly promoted Recreativo.

Real Madrid:
Casillas, Mejia, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Diarra, Emerson, Guti (Beckham, 70), Reyes (Raul Bravo, 65), Raul, van Nistelrooy (Ronaldo, 82)
Yellow Cards: Mejia (33) Sergio Ramos (52 & 63), Cannavaro (83)
Red Cards: Sergio Ramos (63)

Atletico Madrid:
Leo Franco, Seitaridis, Pernia, Perea, Pablo, Luccin, Maniche, Maxi, Petrov (Galletti, 77), Mista (Aguero, 60), Torres
Yellow Cards: Perea (26), Mista (31), Pernia (34), Maxi (54), Pablo (84)

Goals:
[0-1] Mista, 6
[1-1] Raul, 37