Real Madrid managed to preserve their lead at the top of the table after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid, but they had to wait until the final 10 minutes in order to secure this equaliser.
Real Madrid came into the match after having lost the previous league encounter between the two teams at the Santiago Bernabeu. Hence, there was intense pressure from manager Carlo Ancelotti to avoid a double, which would have been the first time it has happened after a long period. Real, however, were confident ahead of the encounter since they recently beat their arch rivals 5-0 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey.
They also began the match extremely well thanks to an early goal from striker Karim Benzema. He scored after just two minutes on the clock after Atletico had failed to clear a corner. However, two quick goals from Koke and Gabi made the game look like heading for another defeat for Real Madrid. This would have been the first time since 1951 that they had been defeated twice by their arch rivals in a single season. As Real pushed on in search of an equaliser, Atletico looked dangerous on the counter-attack especially with striker Diego Costa in great form.
However, Ronaldo equalised with only a few minutes remaining and Ancelotti praised his team after the match. “We drew a game that we were losing. The response was good and overall we can be satisfied because Atletico are a good team, particularly at home. We’re top and that’s good. A point is a point. It was a difficult match. We tried to play but it wasn’t easy because Atletico played a very rough game. They tried to impose a violent game. We don’t play like that,” said Ancelotti to the club’s official site after the match.
