Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico: Rojiblancos suffer first loss in La Liga this season

Real Madrid completed the perfect week by ending Atletico Madrid's unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday. 

A header from Casemiro and a Jan Oblak own goal condemned La Liga leaders Atletico to their first defeat of the campaign and eased the pressure on Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. 

The Frenchman was under pressure just seven days ago following defeats to Alaves and Shakhtar Donetsk but wins against Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach and Atletico have improved the outlook at the club.  

Wednesday's victory against Gladbach ensured Madrid progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners and Saturday's derby win moved them within three points of Atletico at the top of the table, although they have played a game more. 

While Zidane will deservedly get the credit for producing the goods when it mattered once again, Diego Simeone's setup raised questions. 

Atletico were awful in the first half against their rivals and didn't register a shot on target until the final 10 minutes, when Thibaut Courtois saved from Saul Niguez's header. 

The Rojiblancos have played more expansive football this season, benefitting from Joao Felix's form and the presence of Luis Suarez, but they reverted to type against Madrid. They sat deep and didn't maximise the quality of their best players and it cost them. 

Madrid started strongly. Karim Benzema had already hit the woodwork and sliced wide at the far post when Casemiro headed in the opener in the 15th minute. The Brazilian was unmarked from a Toni Kroos corner. Simeone won't have liked what he saw.

It was just the third goal Atletico had conceded in 11 league games this season and the first time they had fallen behind. They never looked like coming back. 

Zidane's side dominated the rest of the half without creating any clearcut chances before eventually doubling their advantage after the break. Casemiro, Kroos and Luka Modric had complete control in midfield.  

The lively Dani Carvajal -- it makes so much difference when he and Ferland Mendy are the team's two full books -- saw his shot come back off the post but it ricocheted into the net off Oblak's back. 

Saul and Thomas Lemar had late chances for Atletico, who took Felix and Suarez off, but Madrid never looked like relinquishing their grip on the derby.