Atletico seek Real revenge in last Calderon derby

“To score three goals in a game like this is something that only the great players can do”, said former Real Madrid forward Emilio Butragueno, now a club director.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his side can now count themselves as equals when facing Real Madrid in the last La Liga derby at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium on Saturday.

Despite that, he still has seven goals in 12 games so far, although three of them came in one match.

Both are frontrunners along with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi among a shortlist of 30 for the prize, but Ronaldo is the strong favourite for his fourth Ballon d’Or having beaten Griezmann in the finals of the Champions League and Euro 2016.

“Three goals in a match like this may make everyone agree, but for me there is no debate”.

Neymar had the final chance deep into injury-time, but Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni made the last in a series of excellent saves to keep out his header in a game where the visitors ended with nine men. He’s our captain and it’s great to have him back with us.

Sergio Ramos may well return for Real Madrid but Casmeiro looks unlikely to recover in time and Toni Kroos won’t play until the new year.

But Real were dominant throughout and extended their unbeaten run to 29 games since losing to Atletico in February.

“I never had any doubt in my mind”, Zidane said.

“It is clear that we need to find better solutions for the players to improve and maintain that 20-minute spell in the second-half”.

Gareth Bale scored twice as Real Madrid coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win over Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu on 6 November. “We put the necessary intensity against a hard opponent who always complicates the task on his ground”.

Ronaldo’s opening goal did not take long to arrive, though, as he smashed a 23rd-minute free kick that beat Oblak with the help of a deflection off Stefan Savic.

“We were fine up to the penalty, from there it was all uphill”.

After finding itself two goals down away at Deportivo La Coruna, Steven Nzonzi’s goal just before the break reignited hope.

“They are two of our most decisive players”.

Anyone expecting Atletico to take the last derby to be played in the Vicente Calderon by the scruff of the neck was to be disappointed as after weathering a brief initial storm, it was Real who took control.