Real Madrid won 1-2 the Madrid derby in the first match of 2025. Below are my thoughts and views on the match.
Misa started on goal. Shei and Olga on fullbacks, with Lakrar and Méndez as the CB duo, made up the defense. It was a 4-4-2 with Toletti and Leupolz in the middle, and Linda and Angeldahl on wings. Weir and Bruun led the line.
Even though the lineup was the same as against Chelsea at home, the game didn’t go on as the Chelsea game did. There was no eagerness from Atleti to press and Real Madrid’s right-hand side was cut off in transitions.
Most chances came from the left-hand side led by Linda Caicedo. The duo of Caicedo and Weir kept the attack alive as they constantly combined to get the ball to Atleti’s penalty area. For the most part, the idea was to get the ball to Bruun either by Weir or Linda crossing inside, but the ball never reached the striker, missing it by an inch every time.
Atleti’s attacks came from transitions and would mostly end up going through their right-hand side where Ajibade operated. Olga had problems going against Ajibade but it was handled every time by either Caicedo pulling back or Lakrar clearing it away. As the time went by, Olga got more into the groove and her defending became more stable.
Finally, at the very end of the first half, Las Blancas got a goal in.
- 44’: GOAL (0-1) by Linda Caicedo: The action started with the recovery by Toletti at the half-way line, Weir got it and sent it forward to Linda who was open on the left side and carried the ball to the edge of the penalty area from where she shot.
The second half wasn’t much different from the first half. Las Blancas managed to double the lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
- 53′: GOAL (0-2): the pass from Linda Caicedo that was intended for Weir at the near post hit Gaby García’s leg into the net. The goal is given as own goal by Gaby.
- 65′: GOAL (1-2) by Silvia Lloris: Lloris tried her luck from a distance. As her shot hit the woodwork, it curved inside. It didn’t give much time to Misa to clear it away in time. The goal was given as own goal to Misa even though she touched the ball only after it had crossed the goal line.
Athenea got in for the last 14 minutes instead of Angeldahl. With two wingers present on the pitch, the right-hand side was now more self-sufficient. There were a few chances started by Athenea that ended off target, but it was Atleti who controlled the game for the last 10 minutes or so. Despite all their efforts to equalize, Las Blancas managed to keep it at 1-2.
The first Madrid derby win in 2 years, and the first time ever there wasn’t a cleansheet in a won derby. A good start to 2025, indeed!