Real Madrid's highly-paid superstars were booed off the pitch after they slumped to a 1-2 defeat against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Javier Hernandez react after Atletico de Madrid scored their second goal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Madrid: Real Madrid's highly-paid superstars were booed off the pitch after they slumped to a 1-2 defeat against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Javier Hernandez react after Atletico de Madrid scored their second goal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Last season's surprise champions weathered a first-half storm after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty cancelled out Tiago's opener, and their resolve was worth it as they won the game in the 76th minute with substitute Arda Turan scoring the winner.
The win was even more astounding considering the ins and outs of each side. Real signed the likes of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez in the summer while, Atleti, as is their way, lost their best performers in Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois.
Real's Galacticos had no answer to Atleti's steel and this success comes after the Red and Whites won the Super Cup against the European champions earlier this month.
With Madrid already six points behind leaders Barcelona after three games in La Liga and about to start the defence of their Champions League title, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted that he could understand the fans' frustration.
The Spain captain told Canal Plus: “The fans are disappointed with the team and a defeat for Madrid hurts them as much as it hurts us. We're disappointed for the club and for the supporters.
We didn't play as well as we needed to and it was the same situation in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad,” Casillas said. “The fans views are to be respected. If they feel the need to whistle then we need to accept this and keep working hard. They're entitled to complain and my way of responding is the only way I know, playing football.”
A step backwards: Iker
He added on his club's website: “We didn't have luck on our side. We wanted the three points. It wasn't to be and it's a step backwards. We have to think about Tuesday, about the Champions League, and clearly we can't fail.”