Atletico go into the Madrid derby five unbeaten against Real, and need a win to keep in touch with the leaders
Saturday 7 February 2015 13:27, UK
Red cards, last-minute winners, barren spells and plenty of controversy. The Madrid derby has only been a contest at the top of La Liga in recent years, but this fierce rivalry captivated the Spanish capital for years before. Here are some La Liga classics...
Real 1-3 Atletico - October 30, 1999
Soon-to-be European champions Real Madrid were defeated in their own backyard by their city rivals for the first time in nearly a decade, masterminded by two former Chelsea men. Claudio Ranieri's side were 1-0 down to Fernando Morientes' early strike, before Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink turned Ivan Campo inside-out to score moments later. Jose Mari made it 2-1 and Hasselbaink added a third, one of his 35 that season, with a trademark bullet strike from outside of the area. The Dutchman moved to the Bridge the following summer, followed swiftly by his boss.
Real 2-2 Atletico - January 19, 2003
Atletico were back in La Liga after two years out, but went a fifth straight game unbeaten against then-European champions thanks to Demetrio Albertini's last-minute equaliser from a free-kick at the Bernabeu. Javi Moreno gave the visitors an early lead from the spot, and then appeared to gloat at Ivan Helguera, before the Real defender replied with a hefty late challenge worthy of a straight red. Ten-man Real were dragged back into the game by Luis Figo, scoring twice before half-time, and although Albertini saved Atletico at the death, Real went on to win the title.
Atletico 1-2 Real - October 18, 2008
Another fiery encounter, this time at the Vicente Calderon, included a red card apiece and two last-gasp goals. Ruud van Nistelrooy struck for the opener from outside the box, had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside and was sent off, all before half-time. Simao equalised in the 89th minute with a fine free-kick, but Real were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute of injury time after former Everton man Royston Drenthe was brought down by another former Toffee, Johnny Heitinga. Gonzalo Higuain did the rest for the three points.
Real 3-2 Atletico - March 28, 2010
Atletico had lost the season’s first La Liga Madrid derby 3-2, and suffered the same fate at the Bernabeu on their way to a disappointing ninth-place finish. Jose Antonio Reyes gave Quique Flores’ side an early lead with a neat finish, and Real waited until the second-half to equalise through Xabi Alonso. Alvaro Arbeloa put Real ahead soon after, before Gonzalo Higuain gave the hosts a two-goal cushion with a third goal in 13 minutes. Diego Forlan's 68th-minute penalty made sure of a nervy finish, but Real held on.
Real 0-1 Atletico - September 28, 2013
Atletico’s first win at the Bernabeu since 1999 on their way to an unprecedented La Liga title came courtesy of Diego Costa's early strike. Not for the first time, several flare ups threatened to turn the Madrid derby nasty, and Thibaut Courtois hardly endeared himself with some childish play-acting in injury time. Atletico held on, and lost just one of their next 26 games in all competitions, winning the title by three points come May.
Follow the Madrid derby at 3pm on Saturday with our live blog.
Then watch delayed coverage - due to broadcast laws - of the match in full from 5.10pm on Sky Sports 5 HD.
Our Spanish football coverage continues on Saturday evening with Levante v Malaga (7pm) and Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo (9pm).
Then on Sunday, also on Sky Sports 5 HD, watch Espanyol v Valencia (5.55pm) and then Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (8pm, also showing on Sky Sports 1 HD).
