4-0

It was akin to the 4-1 loss at Dortmund in the Champions League semifinal. Or the 5-0 beating against Barcelona a few years ago. Or even that infamous 6-2 loss to that Catalan squad.

To put it bluntly, it was a historic debacle for Real Madrid. To make things worse, it only added to the belief Atletico Madrid is the top team in Spain's capital.

And it is a rather big shocker considering the history between these two sides. Prior to that 2013 Copa del Rey final, Los Colchoneros had not defeated Los Blancos since the 1999-2000 season. Since their 3-1 win at the Bernabeu in the first of two league games that year, Atletico had endured 17 defeats and six draws against its cross-town rivals, including an eight-game losing streak between the 2009-10 season and the 2012-13 season.

But how times have changed. From the best to the worst in fact. Since defeating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu 2-1 in the Copa del Rey final the team has managed a record of six wins, three losses and two draws. However, Atletico has now defeated Real Madrid in five straight matches and has gone undefeated in six straight. And their 4-0 win on Saturday was the climax of it all, the single most impressive win the team has had over its rival since 1987-88 when it won by the same score. In fact the team has also achieved the feat in 1947-48, 1949-50, 1964-65, 1976-77 and 1984-85.

And while Atletico cannot keep up with Barcelona these days, they seem to find Real Madrid a walk in the park. So what is going on to Los Blancos that they go from looking like perennial champions in most matches but seem lost and intimidated against the rivals that play in the same city?

Style of play

A look at where the possession was sustained throughout the game allows the viewer to draw some interesting conclusions about how Atletico shut down Real. While Los Blancos sought out numerous options on the flanks and through the middle, Atletico knew exactly how to double down on its opponent's wingers to force the opponents into playing down the middle. And down the middle is exactly where Madrid faltered.

Narrowing the point of attack allowed Atletico to clog the middle of the field and thus render Madrid's deliberate passing to implode by the second. Toni Kroos still controlled the midfield, but he managed a grand total of two key passes in the entire match.

Moreover, pushing Madrid's game into the middle meant that Atletico could get more bodies in front of the ball and thus prevent shots from getting through. How many did Real get on goal the entire match? One and it came from substitute and defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi. The offensive trio of Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo managed a total of zero shots on target and just three at the goal overall. Of the four shots Madrid had at goal the entire time, two were from outside the box, Illarramendi's was from just inside the box, and only Bale's blocked chance was in the penalty area. Contrast that with Atletico who had a total of 17 shots at goal, and only five were from outside the area -- four went into the net.

Speaking of Atletico, the home side knew exactly how to concentrate its attack, and it did so by exploiting Madrid's left flank. Most of Atletico's offensive activity took place on that wing, and why wouldn't it? Fabio Coentrao was not supposed to start this game, but a Marcelo yellow card in the previous match meant he was suspended from this tilt. And because of Ramos' injury, young Nacho Fernandez would have to try and be the man in the middle. Both players faltered immensely, and Madrid capitulated as a result. Four shots from inside the penalty area came from that left side.

Aerial positioning yet again

Real Madrid is putrid at defending aerial plays, and they were undone by two in this game, or three if we count that marvelous bicycle kick from Saul. That second goal from Saul was tough to save though the team allowed a cross to come into the area right in front of goal. But the opening goal, which Iker Casillas certainly should have stopped, was the result of Madrid being unable to handle a cross off a setpiece and letting Atletico maintain possession. Antoine Griezmann's goal was the result great passing, but the first cross in on the left flank was something that Madrid did not defend well against and it cost the team badly.

Atletico won the aerial battle overall, which is no shocker considering this the team's greatest strength.

No Shows

Casillas should have stopped the opening goal, which was a long shot straight at him. It was reminiscent of his blunder for Spain against Slovakia and a Euro qualifier earlier this year.

Ronaldo had no shots on target, completed just 71 percent of his chances and did absolutely no defending the entire match. He had no tackles, no blocked shots, no interceptions and instead committed three fouls. He is not expected to defend, but he made no effort to help his team from getting run down.

The same could be said from Bale and Benzema who played putrid games. And unfortunately Raphael Varane and Nacho did little to show coach Carlo Ancelotti they do not need Ramos or Pepe on the backend.

And of course Ancelotti did not learn from the other games against Atletico this season. The team played the same slow and deliberate pace instead of attacking Atletico with the speed it possesses.