Atletico Madrid made the La Liga title race tighter after scoring a huge 4-0 win against Real Madrid in their Derbi on Saturday at Vicente Calderon.
Tiago kicked off the scoring parade for Atletico with the opening goal in the 14th minute, while Sail Niguez made it 2-0 for the defending La Liga champions four minutes later.
Real Madrid had several scoring chances in the first half, but they failed to capitalize. Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico a larger breathing room with a strike in the 67th minute, while Mario Mandzukic completed the rout with another goal in the 89th minute.
The win extended Atletico's dominance of their city rival, scoring their sixth victory in as many matches this season. Real Madrid have not won against Atletico since Los Blancos won in their Champions League final showdown last year - the win that gave Real their tenth European title.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone had nothing but praises for his squad for their "brilliant" execution of their game plan against the current La Liga leader.
"In a game like this we were able to play the game we wanted out on the pitch," Simeone said in a news conference. "And it went very well. Our ability to interpret the plan, and then execute it, was brilliant. To attack down the right with Arda Turan, Griezmann and Juanfran, to defend well and use Gabi and Tiago to cover Cristiano Ronaldo."
Ronaldo, on the other hand, admitted after the match that they were not mentally and physically ready to stand toe-to-toe with the on-target Atletico Madrid squad. The Portugal international said that Real Madrid should bounce back quickly if they want to win the Spanish league again.
"Before it was very difficult for Atletico to beat us, things change, and cycles happen," Ronaldo said. "Madrid must think positively and be the Madrid that we were. This team is very strong, in my opinion we are the best, but we must show that on the pitch. We are going to win La Liga again."
Atletico Madrid are still in third place in the La Liga standings with 50 points in 22 matches, but moved closer to league-leading Real, who have tallied 54 points in 22 league games.
FC Barcelona are currently in second place, and the Lionel Messi-led squad will have a chance to move one-point behind Real Madrid on Sunday when they take on Athletic Bilbao in San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
Check the updated 2014-15 Liga BBVA standings on this link.
