Under the lights at the Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid found the edge they needed in the capital derby, beating Real Madrid 2-1 and leaving goalkeeper Jan Oblak pleased with the points while warning that the Liga season has far further to run.
A derby win, but no clean sheet
Oblak felt Atlético had delivered a strong overall performance in one of the season’s most demanding fixtures, although he was frustrated that Real Madrid had been allowed a route back into the contest.
- Atlético won the derby 2-1 at the Metropolitano.
- Oblak regretted missing out on a clean sheet, saying the side had given their opponents “life”.
- He described the three points as important and said the squad was very happy with the result.
- Despite the victory, the Slovenian goalkeeper stressed that La Liga remains a long campaign.
“It was not a clean sheet, which is a pity,” Oblak said after the final whistle. “We played a pretty good match, but we gave them life. Winning is important and we are very happy with the three points. It matters to win, but La Liga is long.”
Questions over the referee’s decisions
The derby also brought discussion around the referee’s interventions. Oblak said the official had gone to review two incidents before reaching decisions, but he compared one dismissal with an earlier Atlético match against Villarreal.
“I do not know,” he said. “The referee went to review both of them and made his decision. About the sending-off: if we were sent off against Villarreal, then this one was as well. If that was not a red card against Villarreal, then this should not have been one either.”
Half-time tunnel exchange and a settled dressing room
There was also an exchange in the tunnel at the interval, though Oblak played down its significance. He said he had been nearby and described it as no more than differing opinions from members of the two teams.
“I was around there, nothing serious,” Oblak said. “There were some different views from each side. I did not know there had been players sent off.”
The goalkeeper said the mood inside Atlético’s dressing room was strong, linking the derby result to a run of encouraging displays in difficult matches.
- Oblak said the dressing room was in very good condition.
- He noted that Atlético have played well in their recent fixtures despite the level of opposition and the complexity of those games.
- Asked about Julián Alvarez, Oblak said the forward would become appreciated by Atlético supporters.
For Atlético, the derby delivered more than local satisfaction: it provided a significant result in a long domestic race, with the Metropolitano once again supplying the setting for a tense Madrid night.
