Real Madrid, super champions

Maybe it’s the sheer excitement of football (I’m being serious here), the headiness of the summer months or perhaps, just the simple fact that we all love the European Super Cup – it’s such a fantastic and entertaining competition. I’m sure that Real Madrid, tonight’s winners of the cup would agree. This is the second time they have won it in club history and judging by how they played tonight, there will be more trophies to come. What this Madrid side cannot win through sheer inertia, they win through talent and I am talking about league titles and Champions League (as long as they don’t get bored doing so).

On three minutes Cristiano had a crack on goal and even though he miscued, his effort was still on target. It was clear that he was as much up for this as the rest of us. On 11 minutes, it was Bale’s turn to test Beto; but his strike took a deflection and flew just wide. Soon after that, the Welshman attempted a Matrix-style hanging shot (like the ones Cruyff used to do), connecting with a James centre. Madrid dominated, buoyed by the endless alternatives open to them and the desire to play.

Sevilla replied through Vitolo, a player straight from the Canary Island school – every cutback deserved an ‘Olé’. It was the only possible escape route for a side who ploughed most of their energies into limiting the damage. Sevilla are a good side and they have a great coach (even if he is not particularly loved) - a good side but not one from another planet. Their only option, and it was a remote one, was waiting for a lapse in Madrid’s defence – a common defect in teams who are intent on attacking.

Real Madrid are a great side to watch. Their wealth can be a put-off but once you get over that, they are a highly-entertaining team to see in action. I fully recommend – being rich that is. If it isn’t James, it’s Cristiano; if it’s not Bale, it’s Benzema. And if the forward line isn’t involved in play, there’s a chance to enjoy Kroos, or Modric, or Carvajal, or Ramos. Even Coentrão hit the mark tonight (his talent is glued to his inner angst).

As far as Casillas goes, that’s another thing entirely. He’s at war with his own demons and one or two others as well. He pulled out a few decent saves, made the odd heart stopping venture off his line and gave the general sensation that he enjoys a good relationship with the football gods in the sky. The conclusion won’t please his detractors: hell can wait.

Cristiano fired a warning shot on 26 minutes after being played in by Benzema but Beto ensured the ball stayed out. He was unable to three minutes later though; Bale whipped in an inviting ball from the left (his wing tonight) and Cristiano came charging in at the back post, beating Fernando Navarro to steer the ball in. If the Portuguese forward is impressive under normal circumstances, the impact is even greater when he has a bronzed tan. Seriously, Tarzan (the Johnny Weissmuller one) has got nothing on him.

Cristiano grabbed another almost immediately after play resumed in the second half. Once again it was the Kroos-Benzema-Cristiano combination, this time the Portuguese ace thumped an angled, powerhouse drive which was too potent for Beto to do much about. They say that if France and Germany are able to get along (doesn’t happen too often), the ‘old continent’ would become a force to be reckoned with. On this occasion Portugal were thrown into the mix as well.

Madrid managed to appease a few initial doubts. The abundance of individual talent doesn’t seem to be causing problems (at least, not yet) and the physical aspect of the team is no cause for concern at all. Like the first half, the second half was Madrid’s. There will be other games in which we can judge Krychowiack, Denis Suárez and Iago Aspas. We won’t have another chance to see Alberto Moreno in the Sevilla shirt. Shortly after the game Sevilla announced his transfer to Liverpool.

At the end Casillas strode up the steps of the Cardiff City stadium to lift the Super Cup. Everything is in order. Money doesn’t bring you happiness but it allows you to experience something similar.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1uppCXX

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