the 18-year-old shocked Real fans again! Álvaro Rodríguez secured a draw for his club with 5 minutes left in the Madrid derby

At least a point in the Madrid derby was secured for Real Madrid by the young Álvaro Rodríguez. The 18-year-old Castilla reserve star decided to share the points with just five minutes remaining.

In Europe, Real are on a roll, in La Liga they are struggling

Real Madrid fans are experiencing mixed feelings. While their star team is shining on the European stage, their chances of defending their title are slipping away in La Liga. In yesterday’s Madrileño Derby, the White Ballet dropped another point.

Prior to yesterday’s Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético, last year’s Spanish champions were already an alarming eight points behind their first place rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid players had to score at the Santiago Bernabéu to keep their lead at the top of La Liga from widening.

Only, Atlético, under the leadership of Argentine tempestuous Diego Simeone, gave a reminder of their successes from a decade ago. Organised defending by the whole team, much better movement and control of the midfield. These were the weapons that the visiting team used to great effect last night.

Star strikers Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema were given minimal space. It was as if their shooting powder, which they boasted in the historic demolition of Liverpool in the middle of the European week, had wilted.

Real’s hopes of three points for the home side were dashed by substitute guest striker Ángel Correa, who swung an elbow at Rüdiger and was sent straight to the showers by referee Jesús Gil Manzano. Then, with twelve minutes to go, José María Giménez shocked the home fans when he took advantage of Antoine Griezmann’s direct kick and headed the ball into the net.

At least a point was saved by young Álvaro Rodríguez in the Madrid derby

It was just a minute after Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti sent reserve star Álvaro Rodríguez onto the pitch. He is dragging Madrid’s Castilla to promotion to the second Spanish league, which of course has not escaped the attention of the Italian strategist, who has been borrowing him from fellow forward Raúl in recent weeks.

In his last league encounter, he managed two goal assists in just one minute on the pitch on his debut for Real’s first team, only one of which made it into the official stats. In yesterday’s game he proved to be a great joker as well.

With only five minutes left in regulation time, he ran onto a Luka Modric corner kick and with a beautiful header, he at least won a draw for his club. It was his first goal in La Liga and only confirms that he can be a valid player for Real’s first team as well.

The Madrid coach praised the form of the young Uruguayan hopeful after the match and hinted that the youngster will earn a chance in the first team next season. “It’ s a special night for him, he showed all his qualities in a short time,” Ancelotti said at the post-match press conference.

“He can be useful for us in this part of the season. He has shown he has the quality to be in the first team squad next season. Karim Benzema is not a typical top striker and it is good for us to have that type of striker,” he added about the young footballer.

Real Madrid has reduced Barcelona’s lead to seven points, but the latter has today’s match at Almería to play.

Source: Nova Sport, La Liga, Twitter, Realmadrid