Brahim Diaz Silences Simeone as Real Madrid Edges Atletico in Heated Derby
Tuesday’s Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu ended in a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Real Madrid, with tensions running high between the two sides. The most intense moment came when Brahim Diaz confronted Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone after scoring the decisive goal.
Ahead of the match, Simeone had downplayed Brahim’s potential impact, expressing doubts that Carlo Ancelotti would rely on him in the absence of the suspended Jude Bellingham.
“Real Madrid will look to adjust, likely with Camavinga and Luka Modric. There’s also the option of Brahim, but I don’t think so. Obviously, there’s a recurring pattern,” Simeone stated in his pre-match press conference.
However, Ancelotti did put his faith in Brahim, and the Spanish playmaker delivered—netting the winning goal that gives Real Madrid an advantage heading into next week’s second leg at the Metropolitano. During his celebration, Brahim made sure to send a message to Simeone, shouting at him in a moment caught by Movistar+ cameras (via Sport):
“Speak now! Speak now! Speak now! You spoke yesterday! Speak now!”
After the match, Simeone played down the confrontation, telling Diario AS that he “didn’t see anything.”
Fiery encounters are nothing new when Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet, and this time, Brahim had the last laugh. However, the tie is far from over. Los Blancos must avoid defeat at the Metropolitano next Wednesday to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they would face either Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven.
With Bellingham available for the second leg, it remains to be seen whether Brahim retains his spot or if Ancelotti restores his star midfielder to the starting lineup.
