BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Atletico Madrid thrashed crosstown rival Real Madrid 4-0 in a dominant derby performance on Saturday that threw open the Spanish football league title race.
The defending champions dominated the match at Vicente Calderon Stadium from the start as Tiago Cardoso and substitute Saul Niguez scored early before Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic sealed the lopsided victory in the second half.
The return of Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t help an injury-hit Madrid, which also got subdued showings from its other star players.
“We didn’t have a player who had a good game,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
Atletico pulled to within four points of Madrid. Barcelona also trail Madrid by four before visiting Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Diego Simeone’s side are undefeated in six meetings with Madrid since losing last season’s Champions League final.
“Everything went our way from the first minute and we didn’t give Madrid a chance,” said Tiago. “Our coach again has been boosted because everything he said came to pass. He told us to find spaces to attack Madrid behind its defence and that’s what happened.”
After Simeone came back to coach his former team, Atletico ended Madrid’s 14-year reign in the capital clash at a dramatic Copa del Rey final in 2013.
Atletico may have had more important victories over their fiercest rival since then, but none were this complete.
Madrid was without several injured first-choice players in James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Luka Modric, while Marcelo was suspended.
But they still had enough star power with Ronaldo back from a two-match ban for kicking an opponent. Not to mention Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and midfield pair Toni Kroos and Francisco “Isco” Alarcon.
None could stem the red-and-white tide.