Atletico Madrid gained some measure of revenge for their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid by beating their city rivals 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Friday to win the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate.
The hosts made the best possible start as Mario Mandzukic volleyed home the winner from Antoine Griezmann’s pass after just 90 seconds.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti had named Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench due to the effects of a hamstring injury that had seen him withdrawn from the first leg.
However, even the Portuguese would hardly have break down Atletico’s typically well-organised defence as they held on to end Real’s hopes of claiming six trophies this season.
“Between the end of last season and now Real Madrid have won three cups,” said Ancelotti.
“I want to thank all the players and the club because I think we have done very well.
“In this game we didn’t play well, but I would rather this one than the Champions League final.”
As well as leaving Ronaldo on the bench, Ancelotti also fuelled speculation over Angel di Maria’s future by excluding the Argentine from his squad entirely.
However, he claimed Di Maria’s absence had purely been for technical reasons.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone was sent off midway through the first-half for protesting that right-back Juanfran hadn’t been allowed back onto the field quickly enough after receiving treatment for a facial injury.
The Argentine could be in for a severe ban as he confronted the assistant referee and sarcastically applauded the decision.
However, he apologised and admitted he had overreacted at the time.
“When you commit an error you have to ask for forgiveness and I accept it was an error,” he said. “I exaggerated in trying to get Juanfran on.”
Victory was Atletico’s first at home against Real in 15 years and continued Simeone’s amazing run of success since taking charge of the club just under three years ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2014.
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