Atletico Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup with a tight 1-0 defeat on Friday of neighbours Real, on an early goal from newcomer Mario Mandzukic.
It was Atletico’s first home win against their crosstown rivals since 1999, giving them the trophy on a 2-1 aggregate after battling out a promising 1-1 draw on Tuesday in the first leg.
It was the fifth trophy Atletico have won since Simeone took charge in 2012 and went some way to erasing the painful memories of May’s Champions League final against Real.
“I am really pleased at the way the boys worked tonight. They really battled hard,” said a delighted Simeone, who was sent off midway through the first half for protesting the referee’s decisions.
“This win will give us energy for what is going to be another very hard season.”
The Super Cup is the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season, and is played between the league champions and the cup winners.
Mandzukic scored the only goal in the second minute with a powerful low drive, after Antoine Griezmann had headed on a long punt from goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.
It was Mandzukic’s first goal for Atletico since arriving from Bayern Munich, and suggests that he might turn out to be a useful replacement for the departed Diego Costa.
James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale went close to equalising for Real, who brought on Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time, who had not started due to a muscle problem and did not look fully fit in a second half in which Atletico should really have increased their lead.
Raul Garcia headed against the Real crossbar, and Koke twice went close for Atletico with long drives.
Real had midfielder Luka Modric sent off three minutes from time for a second yellow card, and the excellent Atletico defence managed to hold out without too many problems.
