The first instalment of the Madrid derby of the 24/25 season was as tense and controversial as expected. Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid faced each other in a match that had one clear protagonist: Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was the target of shots from a section of the Atlético fans in the Fondo Sur, who are now trying to be identified.
Courtois exaggerated the celebration of the goal that opened the scoring for the Whites, laughing in front of the cheering stand of the colchoneros team. This provocation was not well received by several fans, who threw lighters, bags and other objects at the Belgian goalkeeper. After the end of the match, which was even paused, Koke reflected on the derby controversy in front of the microphone.
Koke's words about the incident with Courtois
The Atlético captain spoke to the media immediately after the match, saying he was "happy" with how the draw came about. Koke came on at the start of the second half and gave the team a different face in terms of play and the level of pressure in the opponent's half. The Vallecano had a great second half in a match in which his substitution was quite surprising, but in which he made the most of his minutes.
Beyond the analysis of the match, the Atlético de Madrid captain focused on the controversial situation with Courtois. Koke was blunt about this controversy, stating that "the players have to be more intelligent, there was a lot of tension." The Madrid native claimed that Courtois , like everyone else present on the pitch, "is a professional and has to know where he is, be intelligent."
Words for the fans
Koke condemned the shootings, but was firmly opposed to the cliché that usually lumps everyone together. The Atletico star said that "we cannot allow a few to harm all our fans", urging them to find the culprits. Knowing that the club is already taking action on the matter, the Vallecano footballer was calm in the interview and explained the situation very well.
High voltage
And what we witnessed yesterday was, without a doubt, one of the hottest derbies in recent times due to the context and what was experienced on the pitch. The match had already been heated in the previous days by that controversial movement of masks in the stadium, something that remained a simple idea on social networks. After the match was suspended due to that throwing of objects, last night's derby became a match that already transcends the annals of the history of both sides.