Los Blancos dealt Atleti their first loss in 26 league matches through an opener from Casemiro and an own goal from Jan Oblak.
Atletico had a chance with Thomas Lemar
Koke was outspoken in his assessment of Atletico Madrid’s showing in their defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday night at Valdebebas. Los Blancos dealt Atleti their first loss in 26 league matches through an opener from Casemiro and an own goal from Jan Oblak. “It is a hard and difficult defeat,” admitted Koke at full-time. “We weren’t ourselves at any point in the first half. We got ahead more in the second half, and there was more space and we had a chance with Thomas Lemar. If it had gone in, then it would change the game. That is football. We must move on. The season is very long, and we are still at the top. They played better, and they were more intense. Especially in the first half.”
“Their first goal was a set-piece, but these are the details that change the game. We have to look at what we didn’t do well, improve it and move forward.” Zinedine Zidane had tipped Atlético Madrid to win LaLiga before the game, which wasn’t lost on Koke. “We’re going to go day by day,” added the captain of Atlético. “On Wednesday we have the Copa del Rey. We only think about that. “It’s up to you the media, to say if we are favourites for the title or challengers, whatever you want… We will go day by day, which is going good for us.”