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With battles, with a crack, between thorns, Barça reached the final of the Spanish Super Cup and the public had another opportunity to witness the “extra” El Clásico. And El Clásico is always interesting. However, “Real” had no right to think about the final, until they defeated “Athletic”. An insidious and unpredictable opponent.
The Basques have changed their coach. After the arrival of Marcelino Torala, he lost to Barça in the championship, but he showed quite a good football. However, during that match, the contours of the coach’s achievements were defined by a dotted line and dashes, and today Marcelino Toral’s plans were clearly outlined. The classic 4-4-2 scheme, active selection in the center of the field, the maximum saturation of zones on the other side – “Real” was not ready for such surprises.
Although it cannot be said that Madrid played mediocre. Nine shots on goal in the first half is a grandmaster result. And shots on target were not uncommon: Azar, Modric, Ramos and Kroos checked Unai Simon’s vigilance and were astonished by the goalkeeper’s work.
Benzema and Asensio also beat well, but this is nothing compared to Athletic’s moments. Not in quantity, but in quality. The Basques had enough five shots on goal and three shots on goal for two goals. Lucas Vasquez’s mistakes. First, his cut in his own half of the field (inaccurate pass) led to a counter-offensive according to the scheme Dani García (assist) – Raúl García (accurate shot). And then – an unreasonable foul against Iñigo Martínez in the penalty area (Raúl García converted a penalty). “Real” was in a very difficult position.
And it could be even worse if Iker Munyain crashed in the head after a pass from the wing. However, to be fair, I must say that “Real” in the middle of the second half could and in general level the situation. Marco Asensio won twice well, from afar and from outside the area. In the first case, the ball flew a little higher over the crossbar, in the second, it hit the post.
Asensio had, in general, a disastrous bad luck. A little later, after his kick, the ball rattled off the crossbar; His efforts alone could have been enough for Real Madrid to win. But not destiny.
It is not the destination to see El Clásico in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Although Benzema recovered a goal (Mendy went from the depths to Casemiro, who dropped Karim to the brink of an offside position), the overall result did not change. The “Athletic” could even regain the advantage of the two goals if Villalibre had won the duel against Thibaut Courtois.
Benzema’s second goal should be noted, but from an obvious offside position. Could the Ramos / Mendy goals have been a lifesaver for Real Madrid? Probably yes. The “Athletic” counterattacked, at the same time finding strength for a strong counterattack, which Mendy stopped with an impeccable slip against Williams. The end is already looming on the Basque horizon.
With difficulty, but “Athletic” kept the required score. And I had a unique opportunity to compete for the trophy. Marcelino Toral can immediately start with a resounding success. So he knows how to beat Barça in the final.
Spain Supercup. Semifinal
Malaga. “The Rose Garden”
Field referee – Juan Martinez Munuera
“Real” – Athletic 1: 2
Goals: Benzema 73 – Raúl García 18, Raúl García (pen) 38
“Real”: Courtois – Vazquez, Varane (Nacho 46), Ramos, Mendi – Modric (Valverde 67), Casemiro, Kroos – Hazard (Vinicius 67), Benzema (Mariano Diaz 88), Asensio
Athletic: Simon – Capa (Lekue 68), Nunez, Martinez, Balenciaga (Morquillo 78) – De Marcos, Vensedor (Vesga 68), Dani Garcia, Muniain (Berenguer 71) – Raul Garcia (Villalibre 79), I. Williams
Warning: Vázquez 37, Kroos 83 – Capa 56, Dani García 84, Unai Simon 88
