Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann leaves rival's title bid in tatters with winner in Zinedine Zidane's derby debut

It seems that £275million doesn’t buy you much these days – at least not at Real Madrid. One of the most expensively assembled sides in Europe was whistled by its own supporters as it tamely gave up the Spanish title with a 1-0 defeat to city neighbours Atletico Madrid.

It was Zinedine Zidane’s first derby as Real coach but he lost out to Diego Simeone who has now lost only one of his last seven visits to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid could move 12 points behind Barcelona on Sunday if they beat Sevilla. They could still save their season by winning the Champions League but form will have to improve drastically. 

Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann wheels away after scoring the winner in the 1-0 defeat of neighbours Real

Griezmann strikes a Usain Bolt-esque pose as Atletico midfielder Koke races to congratulate him on his goal

The France forward slides in front of disgruntled Real Madrid supporters after handing Atletico the lead at the Bernabeu

Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a frustrated figure after seeing Real Madrid's title hopes all but disappear

France legend Zinedine Zidane tasted defeat in his first Madrid derby since taking over as Real manager

They can take some consolation in the second half performance from 18-year-old forward Borja Mayoral and the fact that both Gareth Bale and Marcelo were missing and will massively improve the side when they return. They were also unfortunate not to be handed a late penalty.

The start was scrappy. Atletico forced the first chance with a weak shot from Saul that did not trouble Keylor Navas and Real’s keeper then struggled to control a Danilo back pass.

But with the team that had scored the most goals against the team that had conceded the fewest the game soon settled into a predictable pattern of Real Madrid attacks and stubborn Atletico defending.

Despite the pressure, home supporters had to wait until minute 34 before Jan Oblak was called into action. Diego Godin pulled Karim Benzema’s shirt and was booked with the Bernabeu baying for a red card because the Uruguayan was the last defender.

Ronaldo took the free-kick and forced a save from Oblak with a well-struck free-kick that travelled too straight to beat the keeper.

It was the cue for Atletico to creep back into the game. Griezmann forced Navas into an acrobatic save with a shot from just inside the area. The Frenchman was starved of support however. Torres can no longer gallop away from defences – he tends to trot forward these days an Atleico Madrid’s attacks were pedestrian and predictable.

There were tame whistles on 45 minutes and when the half-time penalty competition was introduced on the pitch by a presenter screaming into his microphone about the emotion of these special derbies supporters wondered what first half he had seen. At least they were about to see some goals as the penalties started flying in. 

Real Madrid midfielder Isco (left) raises his boot to make a high challenge on former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo gives a team-mate a thumbs up after nearly being sent through with a pass

Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez (left) holds off Atletico's former Chelsea defender Felipe Luis

Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas tips the ball over the crossbar as defenders Danilo (left) and Raphael Varane (centre) watch on

Respective Real and Atletico Madrid managers Zidane (left) and Diego Simeone scream from the sidelines

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos (right) competes for the ball in an aerial duel with Atletico's Saul Niguez

Ronaldo surges forward during a lacklustre first-half with Atletico's Niguez (centre) and Juanfran paying close attention

France international Karim Benzema (centre) is left in a heap on the floor as Atletico players argue their innocence

Spain international Ramos stumbles as he and Torres chase the ball during a lacklustre first-half

Ronaldo (centre) gets some impressive height in his bid to reach a first-half corner at the Bernabeu

Former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric (centre) gets involved in a discussion between the referee and Atletico players

Real Madrid Castilla scoring sensation Mayoral warmed up at half time. He has scored 13 goals in 28 games for the B-team and with goals exactly what Real needed he was introduced at half time.

They almost scored it within three minutes of the restart. Modric played in Ronaldo and he flashed a shot just wide of Oblak’s far post. James then found space on the left touchline but clumsily ran the ball out of play. He, much like Isco and Kroos seems to have gone backwards since signing for Real Madrid.

There were some whistles from home supporters and things got worse for them with Atletico’s next attack.

Felipe Luis had time and space down the right and he used it well rolling it to Griezmann who found the bottom corner with a shot that beat Navas comfortably. Zidane opened his arms on the touchline as if to say: ‘how did that happen?’ And the 50 or so away fans went crazy high in the top corner of the Bernabeu. 

Griezmann pumps his fists after collecting a return pass from Luis to slot home the opening goal for Atletico Madrid

Virtually every Atletico Madrid outfield player leaps on Griezmann to celebrate taking the lead against their arch rivals

Griezmann shares a celebratory gesture with Koke as Atletico players head back to the centre circle after taking the lead

Ronaldo (centre) cranes his neck to head at goal as Real Madrid chase an equaliser in the second half

Portugal international Ronaldo reacts after seeing his side waste another opportunity to open their account

Atletico Madrid players applaud the small section of travelling fans after moving to within five points of Barcelona

The Real Madrid supporters now had other things on their mind and were calling for president Florentino Perez to resign. It is ten years since he quit after his first spell in charge of the club claiming that he had ‘spoiled’ his Galatico signings and had to leave for the good of the club.

Saul almost doubled Atletico’s lead but Ronaldo then had the chance to level for Real only to head straight at Oblak from Dani Carvajal’s cross. James Rodriguez and Isco were both taken off as Real Madrid tried to inject some urgency into their comeback.

The changes did up the home team’s tempo and they should have had a penalty when Gabi fouled Danilo but the referee told the player to get up and the Bernabeu was so deflated it hardly protested the decision. Ronaldo sent another cross shot wide of Oblak's goal but there was no equaliser for Real Madrid and there is surely no way back into the title race for them now.