Atlético Madrid crushed Real Madrid 5–1 at the Metropolitano in La Liga, with Julián Álvarez scoring twice and Sorloth adding another in a dominant derby display.
Xabi Alonso has revolutionized many things at Real Madrid, but there is one ghost he still has not managed to exorcise: the Metropolitano.
Once again, in La Liga, the white team shrank in their visit to Atlético’s home, as if the rojiblanco stadium had some invisible filter that turned off the lights of its players. For another year the plan collapsed, several players disappeared, and what was seen looked far more like a remake of Ancelotti’s Madrid from last season than the modern invention of Xabi Alonso.
There was no sign of the intimidating machine that had impressed in the early weeks of the season. Only Kylian Mbappé, always willing to play the superhero, and Arda Güler, who seemed to operate on another level, offered glimpses of quality. Güler even scored and provided an assist, but was surprisingly substituted by Xabi in a decision that made little sense. The rest of the team collapsed completely. The heavy 5–1 defeat in the Madrid derby hurt badly, because losing is always painful for Real Madrid, but losing to Atlético in La Liga is something that leaves a deeper mark.
Atlético, on the other hand, showed once more that they are a team who feed off their fans. The Metropolitano roared and Julián Álvarez responded with two decisive goals, bringing his tally to five in just three days, another performance confirming his star quality. Simeone’s side lived off intensity and commitment, and in this atmosphere they punished every Madrid weakness. While Madrid saw doubts resurface, Atlético used the derby to relaunch their campaign, proving once again that at home they can beat anyone.
Julián Álvarez struck the post and twice found the net, deciding the derby almost on his own. He did not need to dominate possession to be the best player on the pitch, showing his efficiency with a perfect penalty and a brilliant free kick that surprised Courtois. Five goals in three days have given Atlético six vital points in La Liga and made the striker one of the sensations of the season so far.
Arda Güler, meanwhile, gave Madrid their only real moments of hope. He scored and assisted Mbappé for the temporary equaliser at 1–1 with a magical pass that recalled Mesut Özil’s best assists for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Turkish youngster demonstrated that he is no longer just a promise but already a player for the big occasions. That is why his substitution baffled everyone, as Madrid visibly lost their spark after his exit. Even his missed penalty could not overshadow his excellent display.
Other Madrid players, however, did not rise to the occasion. Carreras, in his first derby, endured a very tough debut. The weight of the Metropolitano seemed to crush him: he struggled defensively, rarely advanced, and played more with fear of mistakes than with ambition. Valverde, normally so reliable, also failed to shine, reflecting the overall collapse of the midfield. Up front, the team lacked creativity once Güler left the field, and the defensive line was constantly tormented by Alexander Sorloth, who delivered a classic centre-forward performance, winning duels, creating danger, and scoring with a trademark header.
In the end, Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 5–1 at the Metropolitano, a result that not only strengthens Simeone’s men in La Liga but also revives their confidence after a mixed start to the season. For Madrid, however, the defeat raises serious doubts about Xabi Alonso’s project. Once again, Real Madrid failed to impose themselves at Atlético’s stadium, and their issues away to their city rivals remain unresolved. What should have been a test to confirm their progress under Xabi instead turned into a setback that leaves the club searching for answers in the league campaign.
