Atletico upset the odds

Reyes and Aguero on target for Europa League champions

By James Riach   Last updated: 28th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Atletico upset the odds

Reyes: Opened the scoring

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Atletico Madrid have been crowned European Super Cup champions after a shock 2-0 win over Inter Milan in Monaco.

Last season's Europa League title holders overcame their superior Champions League winning opponents in the Stade Louis II, thanks to goals from Jose Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero.

The Spaniards fully deserved to walk away with the trophy as, following a first-half which held few talking points, they came out stronger after the break and took the lead as Reyes showed determination to break into the area in the 62nd minute and fire in a low effort.

Inter could not break down a solid Atletico defence and the result was made certain when Aguero tapped in from close range with just seven minutes remaining after good work from Simao.

Rafael Benitez's side still had the opportunity to pull one back from the penalty spot in the dying minutes, but young goalkeeper David De Gea got the better of Diego Milito and palmed his spot-kick away to put the icing on the cake.

Disappointment

Benitez's first competitive match in charge of Inter ended in disappointment for the former Liverpool manager. In a tepid first half, this apparent meeting between the creme de la creme of European football failed to live up to its billing as neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save.

The playing surface at the Stade Louis II in Monaco is infamous for being hard and unpredictable - not helped by the subterranean car-park under the pitch - and that contributed to the poor quality.

Even so there was no excuse for some of the poor shooting displayed by Aguero in particular as Atletico edged the opening 45 minutes - the Argentinian did also have a decent penalty claim turned down.

Inter's best opportunity came from Wesley Sneijder, an effort from outside the box that bounced wide, before Samuel Eto'o drifted past a couple of challenges but pulled his shot past the post.

The second half was infinitely better and though the first save still did not arrive until the 58th minute, it was worth waiting for.

Reyes cut back onto his left foot and from the right side of the area bent the ball towards the far corner only to see Julio Cesar hurl himself full length to turn the ball behind.

Distraught

He looked distraught but his unhappiness did not last long as within two minutes he had put Atletico in front.

This time he dribbled into the box, nearly lost the ball but regained control and sped past Maicon before beating Cesar from a narrow angle at his near post.

The goal sparked wild celebrations - this trophy is taken much more seriously on the continent than in Britain - and Aguero nearly made it two but Cristian Chivu cleared off the line.

Reyes picked up an injury while scoring and limped off to be replaced by another ex-Arsenal player, Fran Merida.

Diego Forlan brought two more saves out of Cesar, one from a direct free-kick and then from 30 yards out.

Inter continued to struggle to create anything noteworthy and Aguero ended the contest with a simple finish after Simao had played a brilliant pass across the six-yard box.

To rub salt in the wound for Inter, even when Goran Pandev won a generous penalty in the final minute the Atletico keeper David de Gea had the last laugh by saving from Diego Milito.

Comments (3)

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Waqas Ahmed (Liverpool fan) says...

This is what i dont understand benitez needs to try and renevate the team not make mistakes that he did at liverpool.The italians are abit strict with manegerial policy they will get rid of him if he doesnt succeed.I hope it goes well for him at inter.

Posted 22:06 27th August 2010

Johnny White (Real Madrid fan) says...

The con man "Rafa" who destroyed Liverpool will again ruin Inter. Jose did a very good job to build this Inter team and Rafa the destroyer is on his way to wreck it. Rafa is just a joke !!!!

Posted 22:05 27th August 2010

A B (Woking fan) says...

Rafa LOLOLOLOL

Posted 22:04 27th August 2010
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