Super Mario fires Atletico Madrid to Super Cup glory

Andy West 05:55 23/08/2014
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  • A champion already: Mandzukic begins his Atletico career with Super Cup victory.

    Atletico Madrid showed they are still a major force by lifting the Spanish Super Cup with a stirring victory over neighbours Real.

    Mario Mandzukic was the match-winner with an early goal to sug­gest Atletico have found another heroic number nine to follow in the footsteps of Diego Costa, Rad­amel Falcao and co. Disappointing Real were second best all over the pitch, being dealt a reminder they and watching Barcelona have plen­ty of work to do to overcome the marauding Rojiblancos.

    The first blow was struck in Atletico’s favour before kick-off when Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was forced to leave Cristiano Ron­aldo on the bench because of a thigh injury sustained in the first leg.

    Another absentee from the line-up was Angel Di Maria, who was discarded entirely from the squad to spark speculation that a move to Manchester United is imminent.

    When the action got underway, Atletico came flying out of the blocks and immediately seized the initiative by winning a corner.

    It was cleared, but Atletico would not be denied for long.

    Two minutes later a long kick downfield by home keeper Miguel Angel Moya was met with a poor defensive header by Raphael Var­ane. The second ball was won by Antoine Griezmann, whose flicked header sent Mandzukic clear, allowing the Croatian to thrash home a first-time effort.

    Another opportunity came for the hosts from a set-piece when skipper Gabi’s clever delivery found Miranda unmarked, but the defender’s cushioned volley drifted disappointingly wide.

    Belatedly, Real started to find some rhythm and came close to an equaliser after 25 minutes when James Rodriguez combined neatly with Dani Carvajal and cut inside to slide a low shot towards the far post, but Moya did well to claw it away.

    The temperature was fur­ther raised when Atletico boss Diego Simeone was dismissed from the dugout after complaining too vociferously when the referee delayed Juanfran’s return to the pitch after an injury.

    Real were looking increasingly dangerous, coming close when Luka Modric had a shot deflected wide, before James headed waste­fully wide from Modric’s cross and Bale was narrowly off target after a classy interchange with James.

    Nevertheless, Atletico should have doubled their lead before the break. After Raul Garcia’s specula­tive effort was tipped wide by Iker Casillas, Garcia was left unmarked from a corner but headed over the top from inside the six yard box. Ronaldo was introduced at half-time as Real chased a leveller, but Atletico came agonisingly close to a second when Gabi’s free-kick was hooked goalwards by Garcia and crashed against the underside of the bar, with Casillas reacting to swat the ball away before Mandzu­kic could stab it over the line.

    The hosts continued to look the more dangerous team and the out­standing Carvajal did brilliantly to deny an almost certain goal by scampering across to cut out Griez­mann’s cross towards Koke.

    Dancing feet from Juanfran cre­ated space for the luckless Garcia, whose shot curled narrowly wide of the left-hand upright with Casillas struggling, before Ronaldo finally burst into life with a long-range shot straight into the arms of Moya.

    Bale and James had disappeared from the game following their bright opening periods, but the Welshman briefly threatened again with a trademark 25-yarder which was deflected safely wide.

    Atletico were soon back on the front foot, always looking danger­ous down the left-hand side and sending a pair of efforts narrowly wide of Casillas’ goal through Koke and the tiring Griezmann. If any­thing, the introduction of Ronaldo had weakened Real’s attacking efforts and Ancelotti introduced Isco for James in search of impetus.

    A dangerous cross from the livewire Carvajal, inches beyond the outstretched boot of the lung­ing Bale, was the closest Real came to a leveller.

    The Welshman then shot tamely into the side-netting from Isco’s lofted reverse pass, but Atletico’s ever-reliable defence was comfort­able as Real’s attacks grew increas­ingly desperate and Modric saw a late red after receiving his second caution. 

    MAN OF THE MATCH

    Gabi
    When will Atleti’s captain ever get the credit he deserves? The midfielder, whose blend of ferocious commitment and cool composure perfectly encapsulates his team’s greatest strengths, was brilliant again, also delivering a series of dangerous set-pieces.

    MATCH VERDICT

    Anyone who thinks Atletico Madrid will have their work cut out in matching Real Madrid and Barcelona this season needs a rethink: It is actually the ‘Big Two’ who will have to match the reigning champions.

    This performance made it feel like the summer break never happened, as Diego Simeone’s admirable side played with controlled ferocity throughout the 90 minutes against a Real outfit who simply couldn’t cope with their intensity.

    The champions look as though they have no intention of moving aside.

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