Real Madrid Vs. Atlético Match Recap: Real Nails Tough Derby

Real Madrid earned another win against their eldest foes, Atlético Madrid. The game concluded with a 4-1 scoreboard, but it was not that easy for los blancos, considering that it was Atlético who got ahead with a goal of Adrián in the 15th minute.

Mourinho decided that it was the right time for Di María to start again after recovering from his muscle injury. It was a surprising decision by Mourinho, who preferred to start a recently healed man before Callejón, who was in great shape against Zagreb.

Atlético started the game playing very tough football. They finished the first half with 10 men, but they should have been happy since they could keep Arda Turan and Perea in the pitch.

Adrián did a nice play in the right area of the box in the 15th minute. He finished it with a good strike to the long post, where Casillas couldn't reach the ball. After that goal, Madrid started to gain some confidence, and in the 22nd minute, Benzema received the ball inside the box from Di Maria. The French striker dribbled Courtois and Atleti's goalkeeper committed an obvious penalty. He saw the red card he certainly deserved and Cristiano was able to beat new goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo to put a 1-1 tie in the scoreboard.

It looked as if Real Madrid relaxed a bit after Atlético was forced to play with 10 men. Mourinho's team could use these minutes before the halftime to ensure a 2-1 lead, but they decided to control the game while they managed to recover from Atleti's hard fouls.

Xabi Alonso saw a yellow card which will sideline him for Sporting Gijón's game. This is good news because if the midfielder would have seen a card against Sporting, he would have missed what is the most important game of the season thus far against FC Barcelona.

The second half started really well for Real Madrid, with Di Maria finishing a good counterattack driven by Özil and Ronaldo. The Portuguese passed the ball before Sergio Asenjo could reach the ball, so the Argentinian winger had a clear path to score. He did so, giving Real Madrid some space in the scoreboard.

Madrid started to dominate the game, with Atlético leaving Adrián very lonely upfront. The whole crowd was looking for another goal to seal the win for los blancos when Higuaín--who had just entered the field for Di María-- took advantage of a very clear mistake of Diego Godín. The former Villarreal centerback was hoping that Asenjo was going out to clear the danger, but Higuaín fought for the ball, dribbled Atleti's goalkeeper and defined calmly in front of an empty goal.

Callejón entered the game for Benzema in the 74th minute, and Coentrão did the same for Mesut Özil in the 79th. Then, Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuaín combined amazingly outside the box, with the Portuguese passing the ball with a back-heel to his teammate. The Argentinian received it and was brought down by Godín. Mateu Lahoz called a penalty and Cristiano scored his second goal of the game.

Manzano decided that was enough and he brought Centerback Miranda for winger Salvio. Real Madrid started to slow down the game, looking for Mateu Lahoz to call the end. The Valencian referee didn't add a single minute and Real Madrid earned their 13th consecutive win.

It is likely that Nuri Sahin will be starting against Sporting Gijón to replace Xabi Alonso. That will be Real Madrid's last game before El Clásico.