Home ›› 27 Feb 2023 ›› Sport
Real Madrid’s young striker Alvaro Rodriguez salvaged a late 1-1 draw for the champions in a tense derby clash against 10-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga.
The point reduces league leaders Barcelona’s advantage on Los Blancos to seven points, but gives the Catalans the chance to expand the gap to 10 on Sunday against Almeria.
Jose Gimenez had headed Atletico in front in the second half shortly after team-mate Angel Correa had been sent off for elbowing Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.
However 18-year-old forward Rodriguez headed Madrid level on only his second league appearance for the club.
The striker made a strong impact in a cameo against Osasuna last weekend, setting up a goal, and made an even more important contribution against Atletico.
Despite his impact, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team’s hopes of defending the title are fading, albeit not extinguished.
“It’s not a goodbye to La Liga -- it’s even more complicated, but we will fight to the end and see what happens,” Ancelotti told reporters.
The Italian coach praised Rodriguez for making a difference coming off the bench.
“Alvaro has shown all his qualities, he’s not played much, it’s a special night for him and for us to think that he can be useful at this stage of the season,” added Ancelotti.
“For next season, Alvaro will be in the first team squad. He has qualities that few have for his age.
“He’s tall, good on the ball, great in the air, and the idea is to have him with us in the first team squad next season.”
Atletico, fourth, only have league games left this season but a win at Madrid for the first time since 2016 in the top flight would have raised morale.
The first half was evenly contested and surprisingly pedestrian in quality, after the entertaining Copa del Rey clash these sides offered up in January, won 3-1 by Real Madrid.
Ancelotti’s side also won the first league match against Atletico in October, but could not continue their domination at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Atletico defender Reinildo Mandava was forced off injured midway through the first half, appearing to hurt his knee in a tussle with Fede Valverde.
