Johnny Cardoso was in the action for Atletico Madrid as they came away with the win in a tense derby against Real Madrid, while Alex Freeman and Villarreal continued their climb up the standings with a win over Levante.
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid
As with any derby in the capital, Atletico Madrid walked away with the bragging rights after defeating 10-man Real Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in a scrappy contest.
Johnny Cardoso went the distance for Los Rojiblancos as he completed 94 percent passing and made three defensive contributions that now move them up to second place in the standings.
The physicality of the game was intense throughout the first half, which ended scoreless. However, the second half went on to change the game for both sides.
The referee pointed to the spot for a penalty in the 50th minute, which led to Real’s Dean Huijsen being shown a red card for pulling down Giuliano Simeone in the area. Alex Grimaldo stepped up to put away the spot-kick later on.
Atletico doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Simeone’s cross from the right side found Jonathan David to steer home.
Real Madrid cut the deficit in the 89th minute through Antonio Rudiger’s header from a corner kick.
After the break, Atletico Madrid will head away to face Alaves.
Villarreal 3-1 Levante
Villarreal moved up to eighth place in the standings as they came away with a win over Levante at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Alex Freeman played full 90 minutes for the Yellow Submarines, making two key passes, winning five duels, and making six defensive contributions.
The hosts broke the scoreless deadlock in the 41st minute, but Levante responded seconds later to level the score.
Villarreal restored its lead in the 54th minute when Alberto Moleiro ran onto a backheeled pass in the 18-yard-box to put his shot past the goalkeeper.
Georges Mikautadze scored the team’s third in the 86th minute to wrap up the game.
Next month, it will be a huge trip to the Santiago Bernabeu as Villarreal takes on Real Madrid.
Note
Pellegrino Matarazzo and Real Sociedad put aside their loss in Europe to come away with a 3-2 win over Valencia at Estadio de Mestalla.
