SPANISH SUPER CUP: ATLETICO 1 REAL 0 - Mario Mandzukic Shoots Simeone's Men To Glory

Atlético Madrid claimed the first trophy of the Spanish season by defeating city rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, thanks to a 1-0 second leg victory over Los Blancos on Friday night at the Vicente Calderón. New striker Mario Mandzukic's second minute goal held up the whole way as the Rojiblancos earned the silverware thanks to a 2-1 advantage on aggregate.

Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone's 4-2-3-1 consisted of Miguel Ángel Moyá in goal, Juanfran, João Miranda, Diego Godin and Siquiera in defense. Gabi and Tiago slotted in as defensive midfielders while Koke, Antoine Griezmann and Raul Garcia formed the attacking midfield behind lone striker Mario Mandzukic.

There was talk out of the Real Madrid camp that head coach Carlo Ancelotti would opt for new arrival Keylor Navas over Iker Casillas in goal, but in the end the Italian stuck with the Spanish veteran. Joining Casillas was a back four of Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao. The midfield was anchored by Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos while up front Cristiano Ronaldo was still hampered by the injury he sustained in Tuesday first leg so his spot was conceded to new arrival James.


The Colombian joined up with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack. Atlético could not have asked for a better start as they found the back of the net in just the second minute of play. A booming punt from Moyá fell to Griezmann who sent a glancing header to an onrushing Mandzukic and the Croatian striker took advantage of some shabby marking to slot a shot past Casillas.

The goal only upped the already hot atmosphere in the Calderón and it boiled over for Simeone in the 25th minute when he was sent to the dressing room after yelling at the referee for not allowing Juanfran back on the field following a knock on his jaw.

After some time, Real finally found their footing in the match and it was James who had the best chances for Los Blancos in the first half. The Colombian star spun a header wide in the 36th minute and then missed on a left-footer right before the halftime break.

If Real fans were wondering when Ancelotti might look to call on Ronaldo to inject some life into his attack, that question was answered when the players emerged from tunnel at halftime with Ronaldo dressed and ready to go. The Portuguese superstar substituted in for Kroos and lined up on the left while James moved more into an attacking midfield position.

But it was Atlético who had the first chance of the second half as Raúl García, who had several first half chances, again threatened, only to see his shot hit off the post and Casillas paw away the ball before Mandzukic could pounce on it.

Outside of a cross into Benzema and a free kick that slammed into the wall, Ronaldo ended up offering very little in his 45 minutes on the pitch. Atlético had the bulk of the chances of the second stanza and at times were completely unhurried by Ancelotti's men while they simply batted the ball around in the Real half.
But there were shades of Lisbon late on as a Carvajal cross nearly connected with the head of Ramos but the ball went just past the Andalusian and this time Atlético hung on to claim the silverware and their first Spanish Super Cup since 1985.