Atlético Madrid fell to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup once more.
Los Blancos came out 2-1 winners in Saudi Arabia, thanks to a thunderbolt freekick from Federico Valverde after two minutes, and a Rodrygo Goes finish after half time. Alexander Sørloth pulled one back for Los Colchoneros, but it was too little too late.
An improved performance than last time out against Real Sociedad, for sure. But questions will still be asked of Atleti’s ability to compete with this Madrid team. For now, here
are Into the Calderón’s player ratings for this one.
Player ratings
Jan Oblak 5: Helpless with Valverde’s strike, but didn’t help himself with the wall he chose to set up. Made some important saves after that, but was let down by his defence for Madrid’s second goal.
Marcos Llorente 5: Allowed to move into midfield for the second half, where he initially looked as if he’d forgotten what to do from that position. As he found his feet and grew into the game, Llorente had a great chance to level the match with his left foot, and shortly after saw another effort curl to the wrong side of the post.
Marc Pubill 5: Went from the middle of defence to right-back, only to return to center-back once Nahuel Molina was brought on. No one likes to be chopped and changed so much, but at least his manager now has the faith in him to stay on for entire matches.
Dávid Hancko 4: Got mixed up with Robin Le Normand for Madrid’s second goal. Made his customary move to the left of defence toward the end of the match but was unable to find any cutting edge as he progressed up the pitch.
Matteo Ruggeri 4: Perhaps surprisingly got the vote of confidence from Diego Simeone to start the match after recent weeks. Lasted until the 80th minute but didn’t do a lot right (nor wrong) in his time on the pitch.
Giuliano Simeone 5: Delivered another dime for Alexander Sørloth as he did at the weekend. Also as in the Real Sociedad match, Giuli did little else to contribute, misplacing some important passes here and there.
Koke 4: Playing on his 34th birthday, the captain overtook Sergio Ramos as the player to have competed in the most Madrid derbies. Didn’t have a bad game, but failed to switch his players on and was half-guilty for the “foul” that led to Madrid’s opener. Whipped in a delicious cross which was begging to be met in the first half.
Conor Gallagher 3: Atleti assistant manager Nelson Vivas was quoted before the match saying that Gallagher was brought in ahead of Johnny Cardoso due to his “defensive contributions.” The first one the Englishman made was inside a minute — a “foul” which was emphatically converted. Taken off at half time. I wouldn’t be adverse to see him leave this month. More for his sake than Atleti’s.
Álex Baena 6: Saw a more “protagonist” version of Baena in the first half, going for shots and having a real aggression about his game. It was as if he wasn’t banking on anyone else to do the finishing and wanted to take it all on himself. Disappointed to see him taken off on the hour, which prolongs his search for just a second full game played this season. Very much could be down to match fitness, which is also a worry.
Julián Alvarez 3: Talking of worry… I don’t know what to write. It feels wrong to chastise the man so much, but it was another performance that makes you question where on earth the Julián of last season has gone. He looked slow on the ball and his finish was way off the mark. You would expect his 95th-minute chance to be snapped up by a player of his quality. A shame to see his Atleti career go this way.
Alexander Sørloth 5: Had a header from a corner well-saved after 30 minutes, quickly followed by another chance which he didn’t gamble enough on, and saw the ball ricochet off his head and go over the bar. Converted an easier headed chance in the second half to pull a goal back. Continues to put himself in good positions and is getting his goals, but could do with doing it when scores are tied.
Substitutes
Robin Le Normand 3: Brought on at half time, took a shot from distance before letting Rodrygo get across him to double Madrid’s lead.
Johnny Cardoso 3: This guy needs minutes but I can’t see him taking Koke or Pablo Barrios’ starting roles. Tonight would have been a good opportunity to begin the match, but questions much be asked of his match fitness if he still isn’t being trusted with it. A long last season that culminated later than anyone else’s is still showing its effects.
Antoine Griezmann 4: Slightly loose at times from the Frenchman, but his acrobatic attempt at goal would have been one of his greatest goals had it not been blocked. Had a sure goal taken off him by an excellent intervention from Aurélien Tchouaméni late on.
Thiago Almada 3: Tries to create, but doesn’t really know how to link up with those up ahead of him. I’d like to see him slightly further up the pitch when he comes on to try and get in the mix to score himself.
Nahuel Molina 4: Didn’t do anything of note, good or bad, which would usually earn Molina a lot higher rating, but tonight’s feelings are too bitter for any joy. Came on for the last 10 minutes of regular time.
