Atletico reign supreme

Defending champions put it past Real once again

Real Madrid's early-season woes deepened when they lost 2-1 at home to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, their second successive home dfeat to their crosstown rivals.

In their last league outing at the end of August, Real let slip a two-goal lead and lost 4-2 at Real Sociedad and it was another disappointing display from the European champions, who have spent heavily to bolster their star-studded squad after winning a 10th continental crown last term.

Tiago beat Karim Benzema to the ball at a corner to head Atletico in front in the 10th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled for the hosts with a 29th-minute spot kick after being brought down by Guilherme Siqueira.

Real dominated for long periods without threatening a typically dogged Atletico side and paid dearly for failing to press home their advantage when substitute Arda Turan swept the ball low past Iker Casillas with about 15 minutes left.

"We play as a team, we all give 100 percent and it came off superbly," Tiago said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus. "It is not easy to win here and it was a demonstration of the strength of this side," added the Portuguese midfielder.

The Real fans made their displeasure plain at the final whistle and a cacophony of whistles rang out around the Bernabeu stadium as the players trudged off.

"We have to lift ourselves and fight and prepare for the next game," Real's Portugal centre back Pepe told Canal Plus ahead of Tuesday's Champions League Group B opener at home to Swiss side FC Basel.

"It is hard to find explanations immediately after the end of the game," Pepe added.
"As always, they scored against us from a set piece. We work at it but perhaps we are not focused enough to stop these kinds of balls."

Atletico's latest win over their rivals suggests they are genuine contenders for silverware again this season despite losing top scorer Diego Costa to Chelsea.