Real Madrid life post Ronaldo and Zidane starts badly
TALLINN: Life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane was already looking like a struggle for Real Madrid after the triple Champions League holders lost the UEFA Super Cup to local rivals Atletico Madrid 4- 2 after extra time on Wednesday.
Real, now led by former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, looked stronger and slicker than Atletico for large parts of the game but failed to see it out, a marked contrast to many big matches under Zidane, when they would often snatch victory without playing particularly well.
Atletico finally get revenge on Real in Europe after losing the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and being knocked out of the competition by their neighbours in 2015 and 2017.
Above all, Real were lacking a talismanic figure like Ronaldo, their all- time top scorer who last month ended a trophy- filled nine-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu to join Italian champions 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 Karim Benzema are all highly talented footballers but they lack the inspirational qualities the prolific Portuguese oozes.
Lopetegui insisted his side played well while declaring that Atletico were worthy winners. “A final is typically won by the team who capitalises on circumstances and Atletico are experts in doing that and they deserved to win,” the Real coach told reporters. “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 sacked as Spain coach on the eve of the World Cup and faces an unenviable task in following Zidane, who lifted a remarkable nine trophies in less than three years in charge of Real, including three consecutive Champions League titles.
But the coach said he was certain the team were still full of hunger to win silverware.
TALLINN: Atletico Madrid finally got their own back on Real Madrid in European competition by lifting the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, snatching a 4- 2 win over their city rivals thanks to goals from midfielders Saul Niguez and Koke in extra time.
Diego Costa gave Europa League holders Atletico a dream start against Champions League winners Real by firing them ahead after 49 seconds, knocking down a long pass and smashing the ball into the net from a tight angle.
Real, playing their first competitive game since all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo left and Julen Lopetegui succeeded Zinedine Zidane as coach, pulled level when Karim Benzema nodded in a cross from Gareth Bale in the 27th minute.
Real, who beat Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and dumped them out of the competition in 2015 and 2017, looked set to pour more pain on their neighbours when Juanfran handled and Sergio Ramos tucked the penalty away.
Diego Simeone’s side, however, are renowned for their fighting spirit and despite being outplayed for sections of the second half they got back into the game with 12 minutes left through a thumping close-range finish from Costa.
Brazilian left back Marcelo had the chance to grab Real victory in stoppage- time but he slipped as he tried to meet a Bale cross and extra- time was needed to settle an enthralling contest between the fierce rivals.
Atletico were on the back foot for the start of the extra period but they were still able to press their opponents high up the pitch.
That led to Raphael Varane
We always want to win whoever we are playing against but of course we really wanted to finally win a European final against Real Madrid. Koke, Atletico Madrid academy graduate
giving the ball away outside his area and Saul thumped home a stunning volley from Thomas Partey’s cross in the 98th minute to restore their lead.
Fellow academy graduate Koke struck six minutes later, finishing off a smooth team move to secure Atletico’s third Super Cup title.
“We a lways want to win whoever we are playing against but of course we really wanted to finally win a European final against Real Madrid,” Atletico’s Koke told reporters.
“It was a spectacular game and in the end when you play like a group it always pays off. This is a great start to a season which we hope will be very successful and very enjoyable.”
Lopetegui said hi s side had played wel l although he congratulated Atletico for their ruthlessness.
“A final is typically won by the team who capitalises on circumstances and Atletico are experts in doing that and they deserved to win the game,” Lopetegui said.
“The game didn’t start well for us as we were caught out unexpectedly, then we turned it around and were well on top and we had chances to kill the game off but we couldn’t do it.”