Atletico down Inter to win Super Cup
Atletico Madrid continued to be brilliant in European competitions as they surprisingly defeated treble winners and Champions League holders, Inter Milan 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup to lift the trophy.
Atletico were indebted to former Arsenal player, Jose Antonio Reyes as he scored the first goal and Sergio Aguero who scored the second to wrap up a win which gives them great confidence ahead of the new season. The Europa league holders were good value for their win as they outplayed an Inter Milan side which still looked like it was rusty from pre-season.
Even though it is early days for boss Rafa Benitez as manager of the Italian giants, this defeat will heap on the pressure on the Spaniard. This is due to the unfair amounts of pressure that Jose Mourinho has left for his successor to handle. Even Benitez agreed to a version of this verdict. In the aftermath of the defeat, the ex-Liverpool boss did hint of the influence of Mourinho still on the club, “ We started the game well with two or three chances and then we lost control. At the end it was too open. The tactics are not quite there, we've got to work harder. I will have to change things after Mourinho. How much time will it take? I don't know."
Benitez almost sounded as if he were still at Liverpool as he blamed Inter’s defeat on poor fitness levels and a lack of preparation of his squad due to the World Cup in South Africa 2010. Benitez said after the match that some of the players came back late into training from the World Cup and extended breaks and as a result, have not been able to train together effectively.
This was evident as the Italians were second best throughout the night. They even had a chance near the death to set up a grand stand finish when Inter Milan won a penalty after Raul Garcia had fouled Goran Pandev. However, high rated stopper, David De Gea easily saved Diego Milito’s spot-kick which was lacking in pace and penetration.
Benitez was in with a chance of scooping up a second trophy in less than a week after his Italian side had defeated Roma in the Italian Super Cup 3-1. Yet Inter Milan were unable to replicate that performance as Atletico looked way too sharp for the dull, lethargic Italians. The Spanish tactician was accused of weakening the team in the aftermath of the defeat, yet Benitez retorted by saying that he had played almost the same way as the team played last term tactically. Benitez is firmly in favour of introducing his own ideas to the team gradually. Benitez remarked that in order for his footballing philosphy to be successful, he will need to have more time with his players and tactics.
On the other hand, Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores was overjoyed with the scalp of the reigning Champions League holders. He said he was very pleased with his team’s memorable performance, which gave them the victory. It must be remembered, that Atletico had defeated Fulham in the final of the inaugural Europa League last season. That flimsy link of Fulham and Inter Milan by Atletico also shows how thin the line between success and failure is. Flores was delighted to have brought great joy to the Madrid fans and said that this would be a great platform for the rest of the reason.
Played at the Stade Louis II this term, the Super Cup pits the champions of the Europa League against the holders of the Champions League. It is a one-off match, usually at the beginning of the season. While Atletico had defeated Fulham in an exhausting finale of the Europa League, Inter Milan (under the guidance of Jose Mourinho) had defeated Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in Madrid.
Even though not much will be read in this defeat, it certainly does rachet up the pressure on Rafa Benitez if he is to succeed in his new Italian adventure.
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