Bitter rivals clash on Tuesday when the battle for city supremacy opens its next chapter in the Supercopa de Espana. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will meet for the first time of the new season in what will be a rematch of last season’s UEFA Champions League Final from May.
The Madrid city rivals met a total of five times last season, culminating in the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon that Real Madrid won 4-1. The final score was not indicative of the match itself however. In the UEFA championship, Atletico was just secondss away from holding on to a 1-0 victory when Sergio Ramos headed home the equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time. That goal opened up the flood gates as Real Madrid added three more in extra time to win 4-1 (a.e.t.).
Real Madrid posted a similar result against their rivals in the Copa del Rey, beating Atletico twice, by an aggregate score of 5-0 before eventually beating Barcelona to hoist the trophy. Atletico however had the edge over Real in La Liga play as they beat Madrid by four points to win their first La Liga title in 18 years.
Both teams have had success thus far in the preseason as Real Madrid beat Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup last week while Atletico won the Ramon de Carranza Trophy by defeating Cadiz CF 1-0.
In addition to having the better head to head record last season as well as beating them in the Champions league final, Real Madrid has gotten significantly better since the last time these two sides took the pitch. Real Madrid added Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez this off season while Atletico lost Flilipe Luis, Diego, David Villa and Diego Costa. Atletico’s only substantial addition thus far has been Mexican striker Raul Jimenez.
Despite the obvious disadvantages, Atletico still believe they can defeat their rivals.
“We play every game like it’s our last. Every game is important. The team played well and we felt good,” midfielder Mario Suarez said on Monday. “On Tuesday, we have to play for an important title against our long time rival and we’ll face it as we always do. We’ll go to win and everyone knows it. It will be very difficult.”
In addition to their long time rivalry, both teams have added incentive to win the preseason match as the La Liga season opens up later this month and winning the Supercopa could bring much needed momentum and confidence into the start of the season.
Real Madrid has struggled as of late with losses to Manchester United and Fiorentina over the past couple weeks. As new arrivals try and gel with the old, Atletico has the opportunity to steal a victory away. However, if the new “fantastic four” up front of James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema play up to their offensive potential, then Real Madrid becomes virtually unbeatable.
It will be interesting to see who Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti starts in goal with longtime netminder, Iker Casillas struggling as of late and new addition Keylor Navas is coming off a brilliant World Cup campaign with Costa Rica. Navas played against Fiorentina, but Casillas played against Sevilla in the Super Cup Final.
There were rumored reports recently that Real Madrid was concerned with the health of Ronaldo’s knee, but Ancelotti put most of those rumors to bed, “He’s ready for the Supercopa de Espana without any issues.”
Expect Real Madrid to continue right where they left off in the UEFA Champions League final last May as Bale and Pepe should start in this one as well as Rodriguez, Ronaldo and Benzema.
My Prediction: 2-1 Real Madrid
Betting Odds courtesy of Bovada.lv
Real Madrid: -1 (+105) // -185 Moneyline
Atletico Madrid: +1 (-125) // +480 Moneyline
Draw: +330
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