It was an eventful Madrid derby as the game ended in a goalless draw, Real Madrid missed the chance to go on top of the log after Barcelona had struggle for a point against Atletico Bilbao at the Camp Nou.

Both Madrid clubs went out for all maximum points with Atletico Madrid being the best team in the first half while the Los Blancos were the better side in the second period of the game.

 

With leaders Barcelona held at the Camp Nou by Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day, Julen Lopetegui’s men knew they would leapfrog the Blaugrana into top spot with a first home league win over Atlético since 2012.

Real Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos was not happy about the fact that they failed to take the advantage of Barcelona slip at the Camp Nou on Saturday. He also reveal what they lacked in the second period of the game as both team settle for one point each.

 

“We knew the importance of three points today,” he said after the match. “We wanted to take advantage of Barcelona’s slip, but it is an opportunity that we have let pass.

“They pushed more at the beginning but in the second half the fatigue was felt and we just lacked that precision.”

 

Dani Ceballos came on at half-time for the injured Gareth Bale and dominated the game, and Ramos singled him out for praise.

“He came on with great enthusiasm,” the captain added.

“He created a lot of danger and he gives us depth.

“We took chances with set pieces and he gave us exactly what we ask from those players who get less minutes, which is to contribute things when they can.”

 

Antoine Griezmann and Ramos have had something of a back-and-forth in recent months, but the Spaniard acknowledged his respect for the Frenchman.

“Regardless of your opinion you must face another professional with the utmost respect, whether it is Griezmann or anyone else,” he concluded.

 

In like manner Sergio Ramos teammate Dani Carvajal was critical about the Rojiblancos’ approach.

“For them [Atleti] a draw is gold,” he said in the mixed zone after the game.

“Each team play however they want, but when a team wasted time from the first minute and is happy with a draw then it is hard to win.”

 

Atletico Madrid have now left the Bernabeu without being beaten for a sixth straight time in LaLiga Santander, but Carvajal says he doesn’t care about beating Madrid’s cross-city rivals as long as the trophies keep coming.

“I will sign up for not winning [against them] in the Bernabeu ever and to keep winning titles.”

 

Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui was not satisfied with the result also as he feels his side should have taken the full points in the close encounter.

“I’m not satisfied [with the result],” he said after the match. “We always want to win and we deserved it.

“We were superior with clear chances, but football is based on goals and not merit.”

 

Atletico Madrid themselves had chances, particularly in the first half but the Madrid boss says those arose from mistakes by his side.

“The two chances they had were from our own mistakes,” he said.  “They were not generated by them.

“It is a pity that we were not sharper in front of goal.”

 

Dani Ceballos came on for the injured Gareth Bale at half time and controlled the game in the second half.

“It was a match that needed more control in the opposition half. “He did very well in the second half, and the whole team played well and showed our superiority.”