Tac-Talk : How Real Madrid Won The Derby

The 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid was a masterclass in tactical pragmatism and clinical efficiency. In a match where the territorial data and shot volume heavily favored Diego Simeone’s side, Xabi Alonso’s men proved that football is a game won in moments, not through cumulative pressure . While Atletico dominated possession with 55% of the ball and peppered the Real Madrid goal with 22 total shots, they left the pitch defeated by a side that only required 8 attempts to secure the result . This “how they won” feature deconstructs the tactical blueprint, the structural resilience, and the psychological fortitude that defined the latest edition of the Madrid derby.

The tactical complexion of the game was fundamentally altered after just two minutes of play. Federico Valverde’s opening goal, a rocket from a 30-yard free kick into the top left corner, acted as a tactical reset for both managers . For Real Madrid, scoring so early provided the game state luxury of defensive consolidation. Instead of needing to break down Atletico’s notoriously compact block, Real Madrid was able to cede territory and force Atletico into the role of the primary aggressor, a role that Simeone’s side often finds tactically uncomfortable.

Real Madrid’s defensive structure was built on a foundation of containment and counter. Despite Atletico’s 537 passes, the majority were forced into wide areas . However, one might argue that forcing Atletico to the wide areas was to their advantage, as their tactics against Madrid often center on cross-spamming, the very strategy that earned them a 5-2 win in the league earlier this season.

This dictated a high volume of Atletico crosses and corners. Real Madrid’s backline, led by Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio, was forced into a state of perpetual alertness. Rüdiger was responsible for conceding three corners through vital blocks and clearances in the first half alone, while Asencio provided key interventions to disrupt the aerial threat of Alexander Sørloth.

By maintaining a mid-to-low block, Real Madrid effectively neutralized the creative threat of Alejandro Baena and Conor Gallagher for long stretches. When Atletico did penetrate the box, they were met by the impenetrable wall of Thibaut Courtois. Courtois finished the night with 5 saves, including critical stops from Álex Baena in the 32nd and 40th minutes and a point-blank save from a Sørloth header in the 33rd. This tactical reliance on a high-performing goalkeeper allowed Real Madrid to withstand the 22-shot barrage without fracturing their defensive shape.

While Atletico focused on volume, Real Madrid focused on the quality of their transitions. This was best exemplified by their second goal in the 55th minute. Following a period of Atletico pressure, Real Madrid launched a vertical attack. Federico Valverde, the architect of the first goal, provided the assist for Rodrygo, who finished with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner . This goal gave them a psychological, coming just as Atletico appeared to be gaining momentum in the second half.

The absence of Kylian Mbappé necessitated a significant shift in Real Madrid’s offensive profile, leading to the inclusion of Gonzalo García, whose natural ‘number nine’ instincts provided a functional focal point that a more nomadic forward might lack. Gonzalo’s ability to hold up play and engage in physical duels allowed Madrid the tactical flexibility to go long, effectively bypassing Atletico’s high press when necessary.

Beyond his offensive utility, his defensive work rate was instrumental in sustaining the team’s structural discipline. Crucially, during the sequence for Rodrygo’s goal, it was Gonzalo’s intelligent off-the-ball movement that successfully manipulated the Atletico backline, dragging defenders out of the central corridor to create the necessary vacuum for Rodrygo to exploit and score.

Real’s ability to maximize their rare forays into the final third stood in stark contrast to Atletico’s wastefulness. Players like Julián Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth were guilty of missing high-value opportunities. Alvarez missed the target multiple times, while Sørloth’s header in the 35th and his right-footed attempt in the 21st minute both failed to test the keeper.

Atletico’s lone goal in the 58th minute, a Sørloth header from very close range following a Giuliano Simeone cross, was the result of a rare tactical lapse in Real’s marking during a cross .

However, Real Madrid’s reaction to conceding was tactically disciplined. Rather than panicking and opening up, they intensified their defensive focus, making a series of tactical substitutions to freshen the legs of the defensive unit. The introduction of Fran García and Ferland Mendy in the 69th minute was a specific directive to defend the wide areas better and reduce both the quality and quantity of Atletico’s crosses . These changes prioritized the protection of the narrow lead over searching for a third goal.

While tactics provided the framework, the mental aspect of the game determined the winner during the final, chaotic thirty minutes. Psychologically, Real Madrid displayed composure, a collective belief that their structural integrity would hold regardless of the pressure.

This was most visible during the seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half. Despite a frantic atmosphere and a series of Atletico corners, Real Madrid’s players remained calm, with Marcos Llorente’s late attempts being blocked or missing the target entirely.

The psychological battle was also evident in the disciplinary record. Vinícius Júnior’s yellow card in the 81st minute for a verbal exchange with Diego Simeone during his substitution for Arda Güler highlighted the rising tension as Atletico searched for an equalizer .

Atletico, by contrast, suffered from a psychological stutter. The frustration of having 22 shots and but only one goal began to manifest in their final-third decision-making. As the game progressed into the final ten minutes, Atletico’s attacks became increasingly frantic and less structured. The miss by Julián Alvarez in the 96th minute, following a through ball from Thiago Almada, was symptomatic of a side that had lost its technical composure under the mental weight of a looming defeat.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory was not a result of luck, but a calculated tactical gamble that prioritized defensive concentration and transitional speed over ball possession. By using Valverde’s early brilliance to dictate the gamestate, they forced Atletico into a marathon of low-efficiency shooting. The tactical discipline of the backline, strengthened by purposeful substitutions to neutralize wide threats, created a platform for Los Blancos to keep their lead and win the match.