Three Carlo Ancelotti Players Cheered After Atletico (1-1): “They Achieved Everything”

Real Madrid’s clash with Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on matchday 23 of La Liga ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, leaving the title race wide open. While Los Blancos felt aggrieved by another controversial refereeing decision, the spotlight fell on three of Carlo Ancelotti’s players, whose performances stood out despite the stalemate.

The Madrid derby, one of the fiercest rivalries in European football, lived up to its reputation with high intensity and tactical battles. Under the watchful eyes of Argentina’s national team coach Lionel Scaloni and Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, both teams fought relentlessly for three points. However, neither could break the deadlock after Kylian Mbappé’s equalizer canceled out Atlético’s opening goal.

Although Madrid fans left the stadium frustrated over the result, the performances of Raul Asensio, Dani Ceballos, and Rodrygo Goes were widely praised. These three players rose to the occasion, proving their immense value to the squad.

Raul Asensio: Madrid’s Defensive Rock

With injuries sidelining Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, and Éder Militão, Ancelotti turned to 21-year-old Raul Asensio to anchor Madrid’s defense. The young defender seized the opportunity with a commanding display that showcased his defensive intelligence, aggression, and composure under pressure.

From the opening minutes, Asensio made two crucial interventions, signaling his intent to dominate Atlético’s attackers. His awareness and ability to read the game allowed him to neutralize dangerous situations before they escalated.

Statistically, his performance was near flawless. He won all three of his ground duels and both of his aerial battles, asserting himself as the leader of Madrid’s backline. Additionally, he completed 96% of his passes (49/51), showing not just defensive solidity but also technical proficiency in building play from the back.

What stood out most was his discipline. Despite playing in such a high-stakes game, Asensio didn’t commit a single foul, nor was he dribbled past. With just two misplaced passes and two ball losses, his efficiency was undeniable. If he continues performing at this level, Ancelotti will face a selection headache when Militão and Alaba return to full fitness.

Dani Ceballos: Madrid’s Midfield Maestro

Dani Ceballos has been in sublime form over the past few weeks, and his performance against Atlético reaffirmed his growing influence in Madrid’s midfield. The Spanish playmaker was at the heart of everything, dictating the tempo with his passing, vision, and relentless work rate.

Ceballos completed an astonishing 101 out of 102 passes, boasting a 99% accuracy rate. This made him the most precise passer in La Liga since his Real Madrid debut in the 2017/18 season. His control in midfield was instrumental in Madrid’s dominance, as he constantly found ways to bypass Atlético’s rigid defensive lines.

Beyond his passing brilliance, Ceballos contributed significantly in duels and dribbles. He completed all three of his dribble attempts, won 9 out of 12 ground duels, and drew three fouls, frustrating Atlético’s midfielders throughout the match.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his performance was his ability to create chances. He delivered five accurate long balls, generated one big scoring opportunity, and had a shot on target, proving that he can be both a playmaker and a goal threat.

With his consistency and ever-improving influence, Ceballos is now a crucial piece in Ancelotti’s plans. The Italian coach has publicly praised his resurgence, and if he maintains this level, he could force his way into Madrid’s starting XI permanently.

Rodrygo Goes: Madrid’s Most Dangerous Attacker

While Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior usually dominate the headlines, Rodrygo Goes quietly put in another stellar performance, proving that he is currently Madrid’s most complete forward. Positioned on the right flank, the Brazilian was Madrid’s primary attacking outlet, constantly creating danger with his pace, dribbling, and intelligence.

In a match where Atlético’s defense focused on limiting Vinícius and Mbappé, Rodrygo took matters into his own hands. Almost every dangerous move Madrid created went through him, as he forced defenders into one-on-one situations and consistently found space in tight areas.

Rodrygo’s impact was undeniable. It was his brilliance that led to Mbappé’s equalizer, as he broke through Atlético’s defense before delivering a perfectly timed pass. His ability to create goal-scoring opportunities was unmatched, and his combination play with Ceballos and Jude Bellingham kept Madrid’s attack fluid.

Despite being Madrid’s standout forward in recent weeks, Rodrygo’s contributions often go underappreciated. Once again, Ancelotti substituted him for Brahim Díaz in the second half, a decision that raised eyebrows given Rodrygo’s influence on the game.

Madrid’s Draw: A Missed Opportunity?

While the performances of Asensio, Ceballos, and Rodrygo were exceptional, Madrid’s inability to secure all three points leaves them with lingering frustrations. The match saw yet another controversial refereeing decision, with a potential winning goal for Vinícius being disallowed under questionable circumstances.

Madrid’s frustration with refereeing decisions has been a recurring theme this season, and once again, the debate raged on. Ancelotti expressed his disappointment post-match, emphasizing that such decisions could have a direct impact on the title race.

Despite the draw, Madrid remains firmly in the hunt for the La Liga crown. Their resilience, combined with the individual brilliance of players like Asensio, Ceballos, and Rodrygo, highlights the team’s depth and quality.

What This Means for Ancelotti’s Squad

With key players like Militão, Alaba, and Rüdiger sidelined, Madrid’s ability to compete at the highest level speaks volumes about their squad strength. The emergence of young talents like Asensio adds a new dimension to Ancelotti’s tactical options, while Ceballos and Rodrygo continue to stake their claims for bigger roles in the team.

Ancelotti’s challenge now is to maintain consistency and find the right balance in squad rotation. With crucial fixtures ahead, he will need every player at their best to navigate the title race successfully.

Looking Ahead: Madrid’s Next Test

Real Madrid will now shift focus to their upcoming fixtures, where they must capitalize on every opportunity to close the gap at the top. With Barcelona and Girona both pushing for the title, every point matters.

The performances against Atlético Madrid showed that Los Blancos possess the talent and resilience to compete at the highest level. If they can build on these individual displays and convert them into winning results, their path to reclaiming La Liga glory remains very much alive.

For now, Madridistas can take pride in the performances of Asensio, Ceballos, and Rodrygo—three players who truly “achieved everything” in an intense derby battle.