After the intense first derby of the season, Atlético Madrid’s Koke Resurrección shared his thoughts with DAZN, hinting at a broader issue that echoed in later statements by coach Diego Simeone. Both Koke and Simeone suggested that players need to be more mindful, but they also implied that provocations on the field should not go unchecked. Specifically, Simeone pointed to Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who celebrated after Eder Militao’s goal, sparking anger among Atlético fans. Simeone’s stance was clear—he believes that while players are responsible for their actions, those who incite reactions should also face consequences. He argued that Courtois’ celebration set off a chain of events that led to fan unrest at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, although another player played a key role in ensuring the game continued smoothly.
The 1-0 goal for Real Madrid marked a turning point in the match. Courtois, having endured insults from the crowd for more than an hour, turned to celebrate his teammate’s goal, pumping up the crowd with shouts of “come on, come on.” Many in the Atlético fan section, particularly the Frente Atlético ultras, perceived this as a provocation. Tensions escalated quickly, leading to an unfortunate scene where hooded fans began throwing objects—including lighters and bottles—onto the field. This outburst of anger caused a 20-minute suspension of the match. The stadium’s loudspeakers repeatedly warned the crowd, and after some tense moments, the referee allowed the game to resume. What had started as a match between fierce rivals was now spilling into a confrontation between fans and players.
Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid’s vice-captain, played a pivotal role in calming the situation and preventing further chaos from unfolding. After the match resumed, Atlético pushed for an equalizer, which eventually came through a brilliant assist from Javi Galán to Ángel Correa in added time. But before the final whistle, another incident occurred that could have derailed the game completely. Another object was thrown from the stands, landing dangerously close to Courtois’ goal after a failed Atlético attack. If the referee had seen it, the game would have likely been suspended again, as security protocols had already been triggered twice before.
However, Carvajal, acting with quick thinking and composure, quietly picked up the object and tossed it off the pitch without drawing attention. His discreet action allowed the game to continue without further interruptions, avoiding what could have been a costly and embarrassing suspension for Atlético Madrid. Carvajal’s gesture was reminiscent of a moment in a past El Clásico when Barcelona’s Carles Puyol diffused tension by removing a lighter thrown at his teammate Gerard Piqué. By handling the situation calmly, Carvajal helped defuse what could have been a much larger problem for both teams and the league as a whole.
Carvajal Saves the Day Amid Fan Unrest in real Madrid Derby
Had the match been suspended due to further incidents, Atlético could have faced serious consequences. Spanish football’s disciplinary code, specifically Article 107, outlines significant penalties for clubs whose fans cause disturbances. Sanctions for these types of incidents typically include fines of around €6,000 and partial stadium closures, which would have been especially damaging given the localized nature of the unrest in this particular case. Fortunately for Atlético, the fact that no object hit Courtois has likely spared them from a more severe punishment, though a financial penalty and a partial closure of the stadium may still be on the horizon.
Ultimately, Carvajal’s intervention helped to ensure that the derby finished without further incident. His captain-like response helped protect both the integrity of the game and the reputation of the clubs involved. While tensions between Atlético and Real Madrid remain as fierce as ever, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of player responsibility, both on and off the field.
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