MADRID:
Real Madrid youngster Alvaro Rodriguez saved a late 1-1 draw for the champions in a 10-man derby clash. Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga.
New Valencia coach Ruben Baraja picked up his first win in an impressive 1-0 win against Real Sociedad at the Mestalla, helping the team stay one point clear of the drop zone. .
Real Madrid’s win has reduced league leaders Barcelona’s lead over Los Blancos to seven points.
Jose Gimenez put Atletico ahead in the second half after Angel Correa was sent off for an elbow on Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.
However, 18-year-old Rodriguez joined Madrid on just his second league appearance for the club.
The striker made a strong impact in a role against Osasuna at the weekend, set up a goal, and played an even more important role against Atletico.
Despite his influence, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team’s hopes of defending the title were fading, though not extinguished.
“It’s not a farewell to La Liga – it’s more difficult, but we will fight until the end and see what happens,” Ancelotti told reporters.
The Italian coach praised Rodriguez for making a difference coming off the bench.
“Alvaro has shown all his qualities, he hasn’t played much, it was a special night for him and we think he can be useful in this season,” added Ancelotti.
“For the next season, Alvaro will be in the first team of the team.
“He’s tall, good on the ball, good in the air, and the idea is to have him with us in the first team next season.”
Atletico were looking for a league win over Real for the first time since 2016.
Rojiblancos defender Reinildo Mandava was sent off injured midway through the first half, hurting his knee in a clash with Fede Valverde.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men after the hour when Correa hit Rudiger in the chest, with the German defender falling to the floor.
“The contact that didn’t cause tension was immediately a red card,” Simeone told reporters.
“Many people have already paid for tickets and want to see the players.
“In football there are connections, that’s the way it is.”
Despite the red card, Atletico immediately took the lead.
Gimenez, who replaced the injured Reinildo, met Antoine Griezmann’s free kick with a lofted header after 78 minutes to break the deadlock.
However, substitute Rodriguez intervened with five minutes left on the clock, diving hard to head Luka Modric’s corner off the post.
Madrid can’t get a win and the result opens the door for Barcelona to take the next step in the title on Sunday.
“We went behind and saved a point better than not, but it wasn’t enough,” said Courtois.
At Mestalla, Valencia played a hard-fought game to beat third-placed Real Sociedad, who are just one point ahead of Atletico.
Igor Zubeldia’s own goal divided the teams, the defender turned into his own net as he tried to cut out Samuel Lino’s cross five minutes before the break.
Valencia were awarded a penalty early in the second half when Hugo Duro went down but it was disallowed after VAR ruled no foul play.
Real Sociedad piled on the pressure but Valencia went close to scoring when Lino hit the woodwork.
Baraja’s side scrapped their way through the league with just six wins from 23 league games.
It was Valencia’s first win in nine league games, and their poor form saw coach Gennaro Gattuso sacked at the end of January.
Voro took over for the sixth time in Peter Lim’s tenure as manager and was replaced by former Valencia player Baraja, who won his second game in charge, as Getafe lost at the end of the week.
Cadiz won 1-0 over sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano to climb to mid-table, while Martin Braithwaite scored twice for Espanyol to beat Real Mallorca 2-1.
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