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Atletico Madrid scored two second half goals to claim the coveted Super Cup as Rafa Benitez’ Inter Milan side put in a disappointing performance.
A Jose Antonio Reyes strike and a Sergio Aguero tap-in for the Spanish side, with Atletico ‘keeper David de Gea saving a Diego Milito penalty late on.
The UEFA Cup holders defeated the Italian champions and current Champions League holders Inter as they continued life without the hugely successful Jose Mourinho.
Rafa Benitez chose a familiar Inter Milan side, with Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Samuel Eto’o forming a powerful front-line. That was matched, though, by the partnership of Sergio Aguero and FIFA’s best player from the World Cup, Diego Forlan.
The Super Cup has gained a reputation for being a ‘nothing’ game but sides seemed to be in the competitive mood, with Inter settling down at the Stade Louis II in Monaco quicker than their opponents. A Maicon chip from right-back found Sneijder inside the area within a minute. From a tight angle, though, the Dutch international fired wide of the target.
Benitez hasn’t changed the Inter side much since Mourinho’s departure and Samuel Eto’o, who was key to Inter’s success under the Portuguese manager, went close to setting up the opening goal in the second minute. The striker raced down the wing and played the ball across the box. Defender Diego Godin attempted a clearance but the ball fell straight to Diego Milito’s feet. The Argentinean striker fired a shot towards goal but Godin made amends for his mistake by diving in front of the shot, deflecting the ball over the bar.
After a fast and spirited start the game slowly became dreary, with most of the football taking place in the middle of the pitch. Aguero should have done better after the half-hour mark when he found himself inside the penalty area, while, after half-time, Reyes was thwarted by a fine Julio Cesar save after cutting in from the right.
Only two minutes, though, the opening goal arrived. After Aguero attempted a one-two with Reyes the Spaniard followed his own pass and, after bustling past experienced Brazilian defender Lucio with far too much ease, the former Arsenal forward fired past Cesar to send the Madrid fans wild.
Aguero could have doubled Atletico’s lead almost immediately as the Argentinean striker breezed past Walter Samuel and hit a ball towards goal, but the deflection from a recovering Samuel meant that Lucio could clear easily.
Aguero, though, did double the lead and clinch the cup for Atletico. After Simao skipped past Lucio the winger crossed a low ball into the area to find Aguero in front of goal to give the striker a tap-in. Inter did win a late penalty after Goran Pandev was brought down in the area, but Milito could not beat an impressive de Gea in goal.
The loss for Inter will be a disappointing but should not be scrutinised too much as the Super Cup has always posed problems pre-season. Benitez did win his first trophy under Benitez recently as they won the Italian Super Cup, beating Roma in the final. The real test, though, will come on Monday night against Bologna in Serie A, the first match of the season. There could be a tough season ahead, though, for Inter, as their aged team could struggle with the potent threat that is being created at local rivals AC Milan. Atletico, who had a disappointing season last term will be looking to at least worry Barca and Real this season.
Inter Milan 0 – 2 Atletico Madrid
Reyes 61
Aguero 82
In other news, the Champions League groups have been drawn:
Group A: Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham, FC Twente.
Group B: Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
Group C: Manchester United,Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor.
Group D: Barcelona, Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan.
Group E: Bayern Munich, Roma, FC Basle, Cluj.
Group F: Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina.
Group G: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre.
Group H: Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Braga, FK Partizan.
Group B: Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
Group C: Manchester United,Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor.
Group D: Barcelona, Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan.
Group E: Bayern Munich, Roma, FC Basle, Cluj.
Group F: Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina.
Group G: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre.
Group H: Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Braga, FK Partizan.
