A centuries-old rivalry to conquer the East

Who was going to tell those Biscayan students that in April 1903 they decided to found a football club in Madrid, as a branch of the Athletic club of which they were fans, that they were creating a centuries-old rivalry. They then laid the foundations for Atlético de Madrid, the other side of one of the most traditional duels in Spanish football. Today that ancient confrontation reaches the Asian continent. The old relatives meet in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in the second semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup.

Only mattresses and lions have dared to discuss the dominance over the tournament of Barça and Real Madrid, because in addition to the two greats, no one other than them has inscribed their name on the track record for fifteen years, when Sevilla first raised the trophy in 2007. The truth is that the Super Cup is presented as an opportunity for both, at a time when they try to find the best of their versions in the middle of the doubt. Madrid, in the Champions zone, yes, but fourth with Real Sociedad, Barça, Rayo and Villarreal on the prowl and already 16 points of the leadership, owned by Madrid with one more game. The Basques, ninth four points behind the European zone but unable so far to take that further step that allows them to aspire to continental competition.

Atlético closed the year 2021 losing four consecutive games, in the worst streak of Simeone’s decade on the rojiblanco bench. The start of 2022 seemed to bring the Metropolitan airs of change, with a solvent victory against Rayo Vallecano and the feeling that Cholo’s return to 4-4-2 marked a turning point. Atlético did not fail against Rayo Majadahonda in the Copa del Rey, after two seasons packing their bags against a bronze team, but Villarreal’s draw, being an acceptable result against a first-rate rival, once again threw the veil of the doubt about the mattress tactical drawing.

In these, Atlético is planted in Riyadh, without two men of the greatest importance such as Griezmann and Savic, but with the Uruguayans Giménez and Luis Suárez back after serving a sanction in La Cerámica. Due to the presence of the Uruguayan striker at the top of the attack, the greatest debate regarding the Atlético eleven happens, since the return to defense with the three available centrals -Felipe, Giménez and Hermoso- and Llorente and Carrasco in the lanes it seems very likely based on what has been rehearsed in the last sessions.

Correa and Sancet, on a roll

In the center of the field, Koke already showed in the last half hour of the duel against Villarreal that his presence is essential in the face of De Paul’s hesitant moment, while Kondogbia and Lemar have become strong. The one who seems immovable is Correa, who is going through a sweet moment with three goals and one assists in the first three games of the year and will foreseeably accompany the one chosen from among the Suárez, Joao Félix or Cunha.

In Athletic, the goalless equalizer against Alavés in Mendizorroza again showed the lack of gunpowder of a team that has scored one goal per game this season. Sancet’s good shooting moment and the explosion of Nico, the youngest of the Williams, with a double in the cup duel at Mancha Real, support the hopes of retaining the crown.