How the Madrid derby was won and lost: Simeone's simple yet effective recipe for Jude, and attacks as the best form of defence

It was a big night at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. Atletico beat their "royal" neighbours in front of a record crowd of 69,082 and made a big statement by exposing Real Madrid's weaknesses. It was a tactical battle in which Diego Simeone got the better of Carlo Ancelotti.

Avenger Morata kills Real Madrid with a brace

Real's slow start is a big worry for the team in transition. Beside the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, Ancelotti's style of play is flawed as they are still struggling to find the right formula. Still, the Italian is convinced his tactics weren't the reason the team fell to a heavy defeat.

"We didn't do well, but not because of the formation, which won't change. It's a defeat that can be an opportunity to do things better in the future."

The absence of in-form striker Joselu from the starting lineup didn't change the team's system but forced Bellingham into a role where he didn't seem comfortable. Besides, Diego Simeone set up his team so they prevent Bellingham from playing and showing what he can do. A few days earlier, Union Berlin came close to claiming a Champions League point with that recipe, but Atleti were much more convincing.

The anti-Jude game plan worked so well that the Englishman vented his frustration with a brutal tackle on Angel Correa. He was booked, although he could have easily been sent off. Real Madrid's number 5 had masked the team's true form, but not at the Metropolitano.

Ancelotti summarised a problem that has plagued Real Madrid since the start of the season. Since Eder Militao's injury, their back line has been without a leader, and the team has been leaking goals. They've conceded the first goal in four out of their seven matches.

"The three goals were the same: a break to get past the centre-backs, and we weren't well positioned. We weren't compact for any of the three goals."

Simeone's men replicated the formula three times to score three goals to destroy Los Blancos. Playing through the wings, a run to take Antonio Rudiger out of his zone and leave David Alaba to have to battle in the air, which isn't one of his strong points. Two early goals from Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann followed the recipe. This sense of vulnerability worries the Italian coach, who feels the opposition is gaining a lot from attacking plays with little effort. The efforts of Real Madrid's full-backs also failed to "stop the bleeding".

Bellingham is a very special player. Technically, he's a delight; physically, he's a powerhouse; defensively, he covers a lot of ground; and offensively, he has scoring ability. His talents elevated him in the goalscoring charts despite not being a forward. His height of 186cm and powerful stride allow the Englishman to perform the box-to-box function so popular in world football today. His presence in both penalty areas is one of his strengths, which helps him to be a highly versatile player. Within his wide range of footballing abilities, Jude can occupy various positions on the field thanks to his tactical intelligence.

However, against Atletico, the former Borussia Dortmund star repeatedly fell into Simeone's trap. Uncomfortable from the start of the match, the position he had to occupy at the Metropolitano did not allow him to display all of his good traits. The three Atletico centre-backs were always alert to close down the Englishman to deny him space quickly. Feeling pressured, Jude dropped deeper to get in contact with the ball, but he never found his place. So, the question arises: does Ancelotti need to keep looking for the right position for Bellingham?

Beyond his players' individual performances, Atletico played the game they needed to play. Simeone's tactics were brilliant: rarely has so much been achieved with so little. A resounding victory that doesn't allow for talk of a complete domination of the rival, but rather a victory of effectiveness. This sums up Atleti's display.

"We played a very good game. In my interpretation, we started strongly in the first half. We knew we could hurt them on the flanks, and we tried to find wide crosses like in the plays involving Lino and Saul. When we retreated and conceded a goal, we knew that if we kept inviting them, they would be very dangerous. If we played like that, we would lose. We realised the game was about attacking. We kept the team away from our goal and earned the victory."