Iker Casillas, Spain’s number one, was donned, again, San Iker after his brilliant play in net again preserved a lead for Real and prevented Los Blancos from collapsing after a start that saw the visitors up three goals twenty-five minutes from time. When the final whistle blew, Real Madrid had once again defeated Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon; however, three points aside, Madrid has still yet to show they can control a game start to finish. With their first ‘meaningful’ victory, despite Atleti’s record they are a club of great quality, Madrid has continued to show great improvement over the last couple matches; however, Real’s inability to play ninety solid minutes could, in the end, be their downfall.

The derby, following suit of the last two seasons, got off to a quick positive start for the visiting side. Kaka was given too much space at the top of the area in the fifth minute and the Brazilian international struck a bullet past Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo. Still within the first half an hour, Benzema would touch on Marcelo who would fire home from a tough angle to double the visitor’s advantage. After a pedestrian turnover from Atletico defender Perea turned the ball over to Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentine would use a nifty move to elude his defender and professionally finish, seemingly putting the game away. A reckless tackle from Sergio Ramos minutes later would leave Real to ten men after the Spanish international was deservedly shown straight red. And that is where the problems started to build. Forlan and Kun Aguero would find the back of the net with ease within two minutes of each other, sparking a bit of life into the home side with ten minutes to play. San Iker was there, however, to deny Atletico the possible equalizer as the hosts produced a few quality opportunities.

It is clear to see that Madrid’s form is improving on a weekly basis. As was to be expected, however, as the players got used to playing with each other and to the system of their new coach. What is unacceptable, for a team that wants to consider themselves trophy contenders, is the incapability to finish games. There is too much talent on Real for them to be unable to control the entirety of a ninety-minute match. Similar to the second half against Milan midweek, Real did not quite have the same quality in the second half Saturday night, almost allowing Atletico to steal a point from Los Blancos. The quality the visitors showed in the first sixty-four minutes, combined with the talent on the pitch should make it nearly impossible for any side to mount a comeback and erase a three-goal deficit. Had it not been for the feet of Iker, Atletico would have done just that, in very embarrassing fashion for Real. An already maligned defense cannot make foolish mistakes, as did Ramos with a three-goal lead, to put them at even more of a disadvantage. The use of Raul of the bench is brilliant, he is still a potent striker but a late game substitute allows him to utilize his abilities as a more veteran player. Along with improving the defense, Pellegrini must know find an answer as to why Real cannot finish games. A question that will need to be answered before Real’s meeting with Barcelona in El Classico in a little more than a fortnight.