Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois as play is stopped due to crowd trouble. (Reuters)
As storied as the rivalry between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid is, in recent years the games themselves have been less memorable, with the frequent clashes being the bigger talking points about this derby. On Sunday, another acrimonious chapter was written when the game had to be stopped after fans started to throw objects onto the pitch minutes after Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 64th minute.
The opening goal
Even at 0-0, no game between the two clubs is truly drab. There are always 50-50 challenges, missed opportunities and frayed nerves. That was before a thunderous half-volley from close range from an unlikely shotmaker gave Real the lead. Eder Militao, usually stationed in the heart of the Galacticos defence, found himself in the Atleti box with space and a favourable bounce of the ball.
He smashed a shot towards Jan Oblak’s goal – a true centre-back force-over-precision attempt. Oblak, one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga history, couldn’t even see the ball go into his net until too late, such was the ferocity with which the football left Militao’s foot.
What happened then?
At the other end, Real custodian Thibaut Courtois started celebrating wildly. The Belgian goalkeeper, who played for Atletico from 2011 to 2014, saw no reason to temper his reactions. The Atletico-Courtois story is one that has soured as time has gone on, something that has hardly bothered him.
The Atletico Ultras, who frequently vandalise Courtois’ plaque at the Wanda Metropolitana, started hurling objects at their former goalie. Referee Busquets Ferrer’s post-match report stated that three lighters and a water bottle were launched towards Courtois in the 64th, 65th and 67th minute respectively. The game had to be stopped with the public announcement system stating that if fan behaviour didn’t improve, the match would be canned. Both sets of players went down the tunnel, but not before Atletico manager Diego Simeone and captain Koke were seen pleading with the ultras to stop their attack on the Madrid goalkeeper.
Did the match restart?
Play resumed 17 minutes after it had paused. Atletico regrouped after the break and scored late in injury time through Angel Correa to salvage a draw. Madrid players were booed but Simeone constantly pointed to his head and pleaded with the fans to keep calm.
Has this happened before?
In the past few derbies, everything but the match has been the story when Atletico and Real clash. And it has usually centred around Vinicius Jr, a much-hated figure at the Metropolitana. Last year, a mannequin dressed like the Brazilian forward was hung from a bridge near Atletico’s training ground. Fans have called the Brazilian a monkey from the stands. Fans on social media platforms have called for baklavas to be worn to the stadium so they could abuse him without any consequences of cameras catching them in the act, such has been the vitriol directed towards a likely Ballon d’Or candidate.
Who are these Atletico ultras?
The Frente Atletico is a right-wing Atletico Madrid fan group that has recently been condemned by the club itself. But despite distancing themselves from these supporters officially, players often run to their corner of the stands to celebrate during important moments. Four Frente ultras were found to have hung the mannequin resembling Vinicius. There has been a steady tick of incidents involving the group, especially in the last few years.
What did the Atletico players and manager say?
Diego Simeone chose to talk about the behaviour of Courtois that incited the crowd and in the post-match presser said, “The club will have to take a decision on those who have provoked these incidents,” he said at a press conference. “We don’t need those people. But that doesn’t justify the situations that incite that. Be careful: sanction the one who provokes and the one who throws the lighter.”
Club captain Koke, who was seen talking to the crowd asking for better sense, to prevail also spoke about the incident after the game.
“What we wanted was to play and for it not to happen anymore,” he said. “Our people said they felt provoked and that’s why they wanted to defend themselves. But they can’t throw things.”
