Home
James Rodriguez may have a bagged a goal on his
Bernabeu debut, but Real Madrid still have a lot of work to
do if they are to clinch the Spanish Super Copa with the
score tied at 1-1 after the first leg.
The Colombian profited from a goalmouth scramble to
edge Real ahead but below-strength Atletico – who looked
impotent in attack for much of the contest – equalised late
on through Raul Garcia.
With the Liga title race anticipated to eclipse last year’s
enthralling episode, both sides will be acutely aware that
victory in the season precursor could provide a crucial
mental edge.
Real have set their sights on winning all six trophies on
offer in the 2014/15 season having already clinched the
European Super Cup against Sevilla.
TEAM NEWS
Atletico may hand a start to summer signing Antoine
Griezmann, with the Frenchman set to operate just behind
Mario Mandzukic upfront. Jan Oblak and Arda Turan are
expected to miss out again.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for the clash after going off
as a precaution at half time during the first leg with a
hamstring strain. There were initial fears the Portuguese
star had suffered a recurrence of the knee injury that he
suffered at the back end of last season and carried into
the World Cup but that was quickly played down. Want-
away midfielder Angel Di Maria is unlikely to feature.
MANAGER QUOTES
Diego Simeone on the upcoming Liga season: "I do not
like to lie to people and one thing is clear: we cannot
compete with Madrid and Barcelona. Our rivals will be
Sevilla, Valencia and Athletic (Bilbao), our objective is third
place. We are putting together the group and we have
changed, above all in attack. I look at it as a new start
especially in attack because the team is different.
Mandzukic, Jimenez and Griezmann are different to
Costa, Villa and Adrian. We have, though, kept the same
solid structure which is the base of the team, but we are
now looking for the best style to adopt with this. We have
to have patience. We are the champions but the players
are not the same and we are in a different league to Barca
and Madrid."
Carlo Ancelotti: "We are used to playing against Atletico
and they are used to facing us. I don't think the style of
game will be different, they now have the advantage from
their positive result at the Bernabeu but I think it will be the
same type of match. We need to defend, counter attack
well and take advantage of free-kicks. Di Maria asked to
leave this summer and rejected the option to renew. We
will look for the best option for him and if at the end of
August he is still here then he will work with us like last
season."
Bernabeu debut, but Real Madrid still have a lot of work to
do if they are to clinch the Spanish Super Copa with the
score tied at 1-1 after the first leg.
The Colombian profited from a goalmouth scramble to
edge Real ahead but below-strength Atletico – who looked
impotent in attack for much of the contest – equalised late
on through Raul Garcia.
With the Liga title race anticipated to eclipse last year’s
enthralling episode, both sides will be acutely aware that
victory in the season precursor could provide a crucial
mental edge.
Real have set their sights on winning all six trophies on
offer in the 2014/15 season having already clinched the
European Super Cup against Sevilla.
TEAM NEWS
Atletico may hand a start to summer signing Antoine
Griezmann, with the Frenchman set to operate just behind
Mario Mandzukic upfront. Jan Oblak and Arda Turan are
expected to miss out again.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for the clash after going off
as a precaution at half time during the first leg with a
hamstring strain. There were initial fears the Portuguese
star had suffered a recurrence of the knee injury that he
suffered at the back end of last season and carried into
the World Cup but that was quickly played down. Want-
away midfielder Angel Di Maria is unlikely to feature.
MANAGER QUOTES
Diego Simeone on the upcoming Liga season: "I do not
like to lie to people and one thing is clear: we cannot
compete with Madrid and Barcelona. Our rivals will be
Sevilla, Valencia and Athletic (Bilbao), our objective is third
place. We are putting together the group and we have
changed, above all in attack. I look at it as a new start
especially in attack because the team is different.
Mandzukic, Jimenez and Griezmann are different to
Costa, Villa and Adrian. We have, though, kept the same
solid structure which is the base of the team, but we are
now looking for the best style to adopt with this. We have
to have patience. We are the champions but the players
are not the same and we are in a different league to Barca
and Madrid."
Carlo Ancelotti: "We are used to playing against Atletico
and they are used to facing us. I don't think the style of
game will be different, they now have the advantage from
their positive result at the Bernabeu but I think it will be the
same type of match. We need to defend, counter attack
well and take advantage of free-kicks. Di Maria asked to
leave this summer and rejected the option to renew. We
will look for the best option for him and if at the end of
August he is still here then he will work with us like last
season."
