August 16 – Is this the season where the red and white half of Madrid gets the better of their more globally successful, if not illustrious, rivals?
Atletico Madrid, who have lost two Champions League finals after extra time against Real in the past few years, look well capable of turning the tables judging by Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup final played in Tallinn, Estonia, when Diego Simeone’s team partially exorcised their demons.
This time, again after extra time, it was Simeone’s side who emerged victorious as they levelled at 2-2 with 11 minutes to go via a second Diego Costa goal, and then scored twice in the additional 30 minutes through Saul Niguez and Koke to lift the Super Cup 4-2.
It was the first international final Real had lost since 2000 and will set alarm bells ringing having sold Cristiano Ronaldo and not replaced him. But for Atletico, it was seventh trophy in the Simeone era making him the most successful coach in the club’s history.
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