Atlético de Madrid managed a bittersweet draw in their match against Real Madrid after trailing for almost half an hour. Simeone surprised the fans with some rotations in the starting line-up, opting to give Koke a rest. However, it was clear that Julián Alvarez was going to start and he showed great form in his first test as a Atlético player.
Although he didn't score a goal, he was one of the most active players in Atlético de Madrid, being a constant nightmare for Dani Carvajal. He moved well around the pitch and combined perfectly with an Alexander Sorloth who lacked a bit of precision. He would end up being substituted when they were looking to equalise a match that might not have ended.
The MVP
Much was expected of Julián Alvarez in such an important match as the Madrid derby and he left a very good impression. Obviously, after resting against Celta de Vigo, the Argentine was aiming to start in attack alongside Antoine Griezmann . He was one of the best in the red-and-white team, always offering himself on the left wing and generating dangerous chances.
He didn't find the net, but he showed that he can be a very important player for the rest of the season. He had a good chance in the first half, although Thibaut Courtois made a great save to prevent the striker from scoring. He was substituted by Simeone when Atlético de Madrid needed to take a step forward in search of an equaliser.
The surprise
Javi Galán made his debut this season in a very difficult setting, when the match seemed to be slipping away from the Colchoneros. He replaced Reinildo at left back and his level surprised all the fans at the Metropolitano, showing a great version. He was the author of the assist to Ángel Correa that would rescue a point in stoppage time, potentially gaining more prominence in the near future.
Needs improvement
It is clear that Alexander Sorloth is having a lot of trouble finding the goal-scoring form that was so popular at Villarreal. His physicality is undeniable, winning numerous aerial duels and being a real rock when it comes to facing opposing defenders. However, he has a lot of problems with the ball at his feet, missing simple passes and having difficulty connecting with his teammates.
Simeone's game
The Argentine coach opted for a very surprising approach, giving Koke a rest and starting the attacking trident. The game, in general, was very flat, with few chances and two teams that were respecting each other too much on the pitch. Simeone was forced to react when Real Madrid took the lead, making several changes in a short period of time.
The changes ended up proving him right , as Javi Galán assisted Ángel Correa to score the equaliser in added time. The red-and-whites tried to find a second goal, but it seemed that both sides were content with sharing the points, getting closer to FC Barcelona. Now, it's time to think about the difficult match that will be played this Wednesday in Lisbon against Benfica to continue adding points in the Champions League.