Real Madrid round-up: Super Cup, Lopetegui, Keylor, Theo...
In today's round-up: Lopetegui joins exclusive club that no manager wants to be in, Keylor's performance, Theo unveiled at Sociedad, Owen Hargreaves on Ramos penalty.
Lopetegui on Super Cup defeat
Atlético fans earn the first bragging rights of the season, after their team dug deep to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 victory, with two goals coming in extra time. Julen Lopetegui, who will no doubt be extremely disappointed to lose his first competitive game in charge, took stock after the game and praised Atlético’s ability to capitalise on his team’s mistakes.
“They have punished us and they have to be congratulated because they have won deservedly,” said the Basque coach, who is eager now to put the result behind him and concentrate on getting the LaLiga campaign off on the right foot. “It’s a feeling a frustration and sadness. But we know that our responsibility obligates us to rise up and try to improve and start the league as we want to start it.”
Check out the our gallery of the Uefa Super Cup in pictures here.
The new coach joins a very exclusive club
Although it is an exclusive club, it is certainly one he would rather not be a member of: Lopetegui is just the third manager in the club’s history to oversee his team concede four goals in his debut competitive fixture, and the first in 47 years. The other two coaches were Michael Keeping in 1948 (one of only two Englishmen to manage the club) and Uruguayan Hector Scarone in 1951.
Navas does himself not favours in Courtois battle
With new signing Thibaut Courtois sitting this one out, this was a chance for Keylor Navas to lay down a marker. But the Costa Rican was far from his best. He was out of sync at the back and was caught out badly for Costa's first goal, which put him in bad stead for the remainder of the game. The most harrowing figure for Keylor is that Atlético managed to score fours goals with just five attempts on target. After his poor performance, it is likely that Lopetegui will opt to start with Courtois for the LaLiga opening fixture against Getafe on Sunday. (Check out or LaLiga fixture list in full here)
Theo unveiled at Real Sociedad
Following the agreement on his one-season loan move to Real Sociedad, Theo Hernandez was officially unveiled in San Sebastian this Thursday. And he admitted that it was Alvaro Odriozola, who joined Madrid from Sociedad in June, who ultimately convinced that the move to San Sebastian would be a good one. “I have had a lot of offers, but I think I have made the right decision,” said the player. “I’m looking forward to giving my all.”
Theo was inevitably asked about the Super Cup defeat and responded: “I am a Madrid player, the Supercup was a beating, but the club has to go on.”
Owen Hargreaves critical of Ramos penalty
The ex-Manchester United player and BT Sport pundit was critical of the decision to allow Sergio Ramos to take the penalty, despite the fact that the captain tucked it away easily to give his side a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute.
“I still think those penalties should be for attackers,” Hargreaves said on BT Sport. “They need the confidence, they need the goals, you're not going to win a Champions League with Ramos getting you 25 goals. You need Bale to get you 25, Benzema to get you 25 and someone like Isco to chip in.”