Head coach Julen Lopetegui endured a chastening competitive debut for Real Madrid as capital rivals Atleti raced to a 4-2 extra-time victory in the UEFA Super Cup.
Spain striker Diego Costa lashed in on 49 seconds, before French centre forward Karim Benzema’s header and captain Sergio Ramos’ nerveless penalty put Madrid in front.
Costa tapped in on 79 minutes to level things up and Atleti took control from there. Midfielder Saul Niguez struck a stunning half volley and Koke’s low shot provided a fine end to an incisive move.
Here, we review the performance of Lopetegui in the dugout at Lillekula Stadium in Tallinn, Estonia.
BASIC STATS
Goals – 2
Shots – 14
Possession – 59%
Tackles – 36
Dribbles – 21
30-SECOND REPORT
A fresh start for Madrid generated only nuanced changes to the line-up.
In the absence of Zinedine Zidane in the dugout and Cristiano Ronaldo up top, new boss Lopetegui made a slight tweak from the 4-3-1-2 formation that ended 2017/18.
His charges performed in a 4-3-3. Benzema went through the middle and Isco dropped back slightly into the centre midfield.
Madrid had more possession (59/41 per cent) and attempts on goal (14/8). But Madrid managed to generate better chances, from fewer opportunities.
Surprisingly for a team of Atleti’s aerial dominance, the goals came from a perfect Bale cross and then a penalty won from a corner.
With pre-season edging towards to close, alarm bells will ring about how poorly Madrid defended. In one game under Lopetegui they conceded four times, something never witnessed in two-and-a-half years with Zidane in charge.
Centre-backs Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos – admittedly not always ironclad under Zidane – struggled from the start. Costa bullied them for the opener and an awful pass from Ramos to Varane led to the fourth.
These problems multiplied when Brazil anchorman Casemiro was forced off in pain during the second half.
Lopetegui now needs time on the training pitch to further enforce fresh ideas.
4 - Julen Lopetegui is the first Real Madrid manager to concede four or more goals in his first competitive game in charge since Michael Keeping against Celta Vigo in February 1948. Stunned. pic.twitter.com/OYoLspZgO5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 15, 2018
TACTICAL TALKING POINT
Benzema goes deep
Benzema was very much the supporting actor to Ronaldo’s leading man.
This selflessness was not always appreciated. A return of five goals in 32 La Liga matches during 2017/18 wasn’t purely caused by poor finishing – Benzema drifted wide and created space for his legendary partner to exploit.
In Estonia, the middle ground was all his. Often he retreated into the midfield, leaving Madrid without a focal point.
However, this strategy gained validation in the 27th minute. Benzema charged into the penalty box when Bale picked the ball up, several elusive changes of direction bamboozling Montenegro centre-back Stefan Savic and allowing space to expertly head home.
The exiled France striker would also force Juanfran’s handball past the hour mark.
Against weaker opposition than Diego Simeone’s fearsome and settled Atleti, he must produce far more attempts than his two on Wednesday night. Goals have to follow.
❤ @Koke6, el amor por unos colores 😘#AúpaAtleti #SuperCup #RealMadridAtleti pic.twitter.com/1dhf2kkQR7
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 15, 2018
VERDICT
This was only a ceremonial match, but reasons for worry were present.
The absence of Ronaldo’s ubiquitous threat and a failure to procure a requisite replacement diminished Madrid – and emboldened Atleti.
Varane and Ramos must get back on a wavelength with haste. Keylor Navas was uncertain in goal – good job Thibaut Courtois was watching from the stands.
Murmurs about Lopetegui’s lack of success at an elite club level will now start to grow in volume. Plus, president Florentino Perez’s inaction – or in ability – to strike in the transfer market.
Positively speaking, Bale looks ready to assume the mantle of Madrid’s main man. The threat out wide with Marco Asensio will be too much for most teams.
La Liga kicks off on Monday. Will the Champions League holders be ready?
Rating – 5/10
