In a heated Madrid city derby, Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois removed lighters, bottles and, at one point, a plastic bag with unknown contents from his penalty area. Around the middle of the second half, the charged neighborhood duel with Atlético (1:1) even had to be interrupted for around 20 minutes. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer temporarily sent both teams to the dressing rooms of Atlético’s Metropolitano.
“It was a bit crazy,” said Atlético captain Koke after the exchange on Sunday evening, expressing the hope that those who threw things onto the pitch “will not return to the stadium.”
Courtois has an Atlético past
Spanish football record champions Real, led by German international Antonio Rüdiger, took the lead through Éder Militão (64th minute). Courtois, who was employed at Atlético from 2011 to 2014, celebrated the goal enthusiastically. The Atlético fans behind him in the stands obviously felt provoked.
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“We don’t need these people in the stands,” said Atlético coach Diego Simeone, who spoke to his own supporters in front of the fan block during the long break and repeatedly tapped his forehead with his fingers. One has to act in such actions, “but those who incite must also be sanctioned,” he said, hardly misleadingly, in the direction of Courtois.
The injury time is tough
Real, who competed without star striker Kylian Mbappé, who injured his left thigh, were unable to win after the game resumed. Angel Correa managed to equalize for Atlético with a stumble goal in the fifth minute of added time, who had to finish the derby without Marcos Llorente (90th + 9) after a red card for a kick.
“It was a correct performance by the referee,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti after the derby with the XXL interruption. “We sorted out some things in the locker room and then came back. Nobody wanted to stop, but I think the referee did a good job.”