Bale’s injury jinx strikes again

Wales forward Gareth Bale had looked one of Real’s more lively players during the first half, clipping a volley just wide from a free-kick by Toni Kroos. However, Bale did not reappear after the break, replaced by Dani Ceballos. The full extent of the problem, reported to be a thigh injury, remains to be seen, but Bale is now a major doubt to make the Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow next week.

A tale of two keepers

Both Courtois and opposite number Jan Oblak produced notable instinctive saves in each half to help earn their side a share of the points. Neither stopper, though, probably knew much about their respective blocks, Courtois denying Antoine Griezmann from a one-on-one by taking the ball straight in his face, while Oblak redeemed himself from an earlier backpass blunder to save from Marco Asensio when dashing off his line and ‘making big’ as only goalkeepers can.

Atletico’s Bernabeu bonus goes on

Los Blancos had been out to end a winless run of five La Liga games against Atletico at the Bernabeu, with three painful defeats and two draws – a worst ever run against their rivals on home soil in the competition. While Saturday’s goalless encounter may not ultimately prove too costly, continued lacklustre performances in their upcoming matches just might.

Even the best can have an off night

Luka Modric was all smiles as he collected the 2018 Best FIFA Men’s Player Award in London on Monday night, but the Croatian Golden Ball winner looked a tad flat in the heat of derby battle. A couple of neat passes and long-range efforts aside, it was a rather low-key affair for the Real number 10, who was taken off for the closing stages, hopefully to come back refreshed again next time out after a well-deserved, and hard-earned, break.

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