Real Madrid rival with Atlético Madrid for 2-2 goals

Even Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal can't save Real Madrid from making a 2-2 draw with Atlético Madrid.

Three-horse title race is good for raising standards in Spain but bad-tempered clash in the capital risks adding to grudges carried over into the national squad.

The World Cup holders, Spain, gather in Madrid on Monday to begin their countdown to the defence of football’s most valued title.

Some personal introductions will be necessary ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Italy, notably for the squad’s freshman, Diego Costa, twice capped by his native Brazil last year, this week summoned for the first time by the country he has now chosen to represent.

Although it was a draw, Cristiano Ronaldo secured his 45th goal of this season in the match

 His new international team-mates all know of Costa as the pugnacious, prolific spearhead of a revived Atlético Madrid. A few will need to alter mindsets to embrace him as an ally.

After Sunday’s combative Madrid derby, expect some forced smiles.

From Sergio Ramos, for one. As the Spain and Real Madrid centre-half talks the newcomer through matters like the protocol of dressing-room music — in camp La Roja, ‘DJ’ Ramos traditionally takes care of the sound system — the pair may be tempted to touch on issues that punctuated a bad-tempered, charged afternoon at Atlético’s Vicente Calderón stadium, a 2-2 draw which kept Real top, Atlético three points behind and, surprisingly, produced only five yellow cards, plus a red for Atlético’s assistant coach Germán Burgos.
                                                                                                                                         - telegraph.co.uk