The Madrid classic between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid left many impressions, analyses, and controversies, but also statements that invite reflection. One of the protagonists of the match was Marcos Llorente, who, after the 1-1 draw at Bernabéu, analyzed the match with a clear message: Atlético is still in the fight.
"Important, but Not Decisive": Marcos Llorente's View
The red-and-white midfielder was clear in assessing the result obtained at the Bernabéu. While he acknowledged that it was a key match, he considered that there is still a lot of league ahead. For Llorente, the championship is tighter than ever, and both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona still have to face each other. This leaves room for the title race to remain open.
"It's wonderful, isn't it? There are very tough teams, and wait until another one joins. This is going to be like this until the end; this match was important, but not decisive," the player declared in the mixed zone. With these words, the Atlético de Madrid footballer made it clear that his team is not giving up and that each matchday will be a battle until the end of the season.
"We Leave with a Strange Feeling"
Beyond the result, Llorente acknowledged that the draw leaves a bittersweet taste. Atlético de Madrid took the lead thanks to Julián Álvarez's penalty goal but failed to maintain the advantage and ended up drawing with Mbappé's goal.
"When you don't finish off teams like these, it shows later," Llorente stated, lamenting that Atlético couldn't close the match when they had the chance. He also explained how the team suffered from Real Madrid's push in the second half, something that ultimately cost them two points. The midfielder also engaged in self-criticism, pointing out that the team must avoid conceding goals in the early minutes of the second half, as this conditions the match.
Refereeing Under Scrutiny
One of the most talked-about topics of the classic was the refereeing, especially due to actions like Aurélien Tchouaméni's penalty on Samuel Lino. There is also much discussion about Dani Ceballos's controversial stomp on Pablo Barrios, which many believe should have been a direct red card.
However, Marcos Llorente avoided controversy and opted for a more conciliatory stance: "I saw the referee well. He let the game flow a lot, which is positive. I couldn't assess those plays because I would need to see them repeated, but overall I liked it," the red-and-white player commented.