Old Foes Squared off in an Intense Madrid Derby

Old foes squared off in an intense Madrid Derby against their former sides. In the game played on Sunday, the 18th of September, 2022, Atletico Madrid squared off against their neighbor, Real Madrid. The game ended in favor of the current Spanish La Liga Champions, Real Madrid. They defeated Atletico Madrid by two goals to one. 

The duo of Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, and Atletico Madrid’s striker, Alvaro Morata, are the two players who faced off against their former teams.

The Familiar Red & White Stripes

The 30-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was in action for Real Madrid for the entire duration against his former side Atletico Madrid. 

Courtois sealed a season-long loan to Atletico Madrid after signing for Chelsea in 2011. His impressive performances for Atletico Madrid warranted his recall by Chelsea in 2014.

He also continued to display good performances for Chelsea after being recalled. As a result, he attracted interest from several football clubs, including Real Madrid, who eventually signed him in 2018.

The Familiar White

The 29-year-old forward Alvaro Morata started his professional football career with Real Madrid, rising from the ranks of the Castilla team( Real Madrid’s reserve team). His impressive performances for Real Madrid Castilla, where he scored 44 goals in 83 appearances, pushed him to the senior team of Real Madrid, where he featured 95 times, scoring 31 goals. 

Madrid Derby as Usual 

The saves made by Thibaut Courtois in the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were instrumental in the two-goal to-one victory by Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid.

Alvaro Morata was in action for Atletico Madrid when they played against his former team, Real Madrid, on Sunday at the Metropolitano Stadium, home of Atletico Madrid. Alvaro Morata was a substitute for Atletico Madrid in the second half as he replaced Rodrigo De Paul in the 62nd minute of the game. 

His performance was, however, not enough to help Atletico Madrid secure victory over Real Madrid.

A Bright Future 

Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He was FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper in 2018, Belgian professional goalkeeper of the year in 2011, and has won several other awards to back up this claim. 

Alvaro Morata joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 after playing for Real Madrid and Chelsea. He then moved to Juventus in 2020. Subsequently, he rejoined Atletico Madrid in 2022 after spending two years at Juventus. However, he made a return to Spanish League side Atletico Madrid in 2022. 

Thibaut Courtois & Alvaro Morata shall play a significant role for their respective club sides in the 2022/2023 football season.