Mario Mandzukic scored his first goal for
Atletico Madrid who overcame star-studded city
rivals Real to win the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on
aggregate.
Atletico won 1-0 on the night, with the Croat
firing in low from inside the area after just two
minutes.
Raul Garcia also went close for the league
champions, who had coach Diego Simeone sent
off for patting the head of the fourth official.
James Rodriguez had Real's best chances with
two shots that flew past the post.
The Colombia World Cup star, who scored in the
first leg, also had an effort pushed away by
keeper Miguel Angel Moya and headed wide.
Mario Mandzukic signed for
Atletico from Bayern Munich
for about £20m in the
summer
The £71m signing from Monaco was one of
Real's better performers inside the Vicente
Calderon stadium, with Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos
and Karim Benzema all disappointing. And
Cristiano Ronaldo barely threatened when he
came on in the second half.
As for Atletico, they resembled the battle-
hardened side who won the title much more than
the team that drew 1-1 against Real in Tuesday's
first leg.
Their coach also picked up where he left off in
the Champions League final by being sent to
the stands by referee David Fernandez Borlaban.
Simeone was seen protesting that right-back
Juanfran had not been allowed back onto the
field quickly enough after receiving treatment for
a facial injury before he patted the fourth official
on the head, which led to his dismissal.
Atletico coach Diego
Simeone (second right) was
sent from the dugout after
patting the fourth official
(right) on the head
The match on the whole was a more entertaining
affair and was given an early jolt when Croatia
striker Mandzukic scored moments after the kick
off.
Moya, who replaced Thibaut Courtois in the
summer, launched the ball downfield which found
its way to Antoine Griezmann. The France
international, acquired from Real Sociedad during
pre-season, found Mandzukic who ran in on goal
and drove his shot past Iker Casillas.
Real looked for an quick response with Rodriguez
leading the fight. The midfielder was first denied
by Moya, before twice shooting wide and
directing his header off target.
That was the sum of Real's best efforts on the
night, with Ronaldo, who started on the bench
because of a back injury, barely troubling Moya
with a 25-yard strike.
Real also ended the night with 10 men when
midfielder Luka Modric was shown a second
yellow for clattering into Cristian Rodriguez in
stoppage time.
Atletico came close to adding more, with Raul
Garcia - arguably the man of the match - going
close on three occasions, the best of which was a
header that came off the bar.
Simeone, who spent much of the match marching
back and forth in the stands, has now guided the
Rojiblancos to Spanish league title, the Europa
League, Copa del Rey and Uefa Super Cup during
his three years in charge.
No comments:
Post a Comment