Real-ity check for new boss Lopetegui
TALLINN — Life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane is already looking like a struggle for Real Madrid after the three-time reigning Champions League holder lost the UEFA Super Cup to local rival Atletico Madrid 4-2 after extra time on Wednesday.
After falling behind to an early Diego Costa strike, goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos put Real back into a familiar winning position against Atletico, but it uncharacteristically surrendered the lead.
Real, now led by former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, looked stronger and slicker than Atletico for large parts of the match but failed to see it out — a marked contrast to many big games under Zidane, when it would often snatch victory without playing particularly well.
Real lost stability in midfield when Casemiro was forced off due to injury, and four minutes later Costa grabbed his second goal to make it 2-2.
Saul Niguez and Koke struck in the first half of extra time as Atletico finally avenged its 2014 and 2016 Champions League final losses and being knocked out of the competition by Real in 2015 and 2017.
Above all, Real lacked a talismanic figure like Ronaldo, its all-time top scorer who last month ended a trophy-laden nine-year stay at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to join Italian champion Juventus.
Real’s only signings have been defender Alvaro Odriozola, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr.
Real forwards Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Benzema are all gifted performers but lack the inspirational qualities the prolific Portuguese oozes.
Lopetegui declared that Atletico was a worthy winner.
“A final is typically won by the team that capitalizes on circumstances, and Atletico is expert in doing that. They deserved to win,” the Real coach said.
“We aren’t happy with the result, it’s not normal for us to concede four goals and we need to improve. I insist that we played well, but they punished us with their goals.”
Lopetegui endured a tumultuous summer after being fired as Spain coach on the eve of the World Cup and faces a huge task in emulating Zidane, who lifted a remarkable nine trophies in less than three years in charge of Real, including three consecutive Champions League titles.
But Lopetegui said he is certain the team is still full of hunger to win silverware.
“It’s true they have won a lot but we have to focus on the season without thinking about what has happened in the last few years,” added Lopetegui, whose side hosts Getafe on Sunday in its first game of the new La Liga season.
“We have to get the most out of the team and start to lift ourselves up.
“We have to start thinking about the league season, which we are very excited about.”