Familiar problems

Real Madrid's goalkeeper Diego Lopez (L) and Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa argue during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sept 28, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Real ran into familiar problems against Atletico as they struggled to break down an opponent who sat deep and gathered players behind the ball.

Home fans quickly became frustrated as passes went astray and the visitors threatened on the counter.

Atletico took the lead when Angel Di Maria was caught in possession near his own area. Koke played the ball through into space for Costa, who stroked a shot into the far corner.

Atletico's David Villa and Tiago should have done better with good first-half chances and tempers flared as some crunching tackles added spice to a derby lacking a little atmosphere because many Atletico fans had refused to pay the high ticket prices charged by their neighbors.

Real keeper Diego Lopez pulled off a great save on the line just before the break, and Ancelotti brought on Luka Modric and Gareth Bale for the second half.

It was a tough home debut for the world's most expensive player, who was brought down on the edge of the area for a freekick, though Cristiano Ronaldo blazed his effort into the stands.

Just seconds earlier, Lopez had saved from Costa in a one on one and Villa's follow up was blocked. The outstanding Koke later curled an effort against the crossbar.

Real piled forward near the end and the pressure grew until Thibaut Courtois made a spectacular save from a fierce Alvaro Morata volley in the dying minutes.