Atletico Madrid did well to battle out a late 1-1 draw at neighbours Real on Tuesday, in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Raul Garcia.
The game was preceded by an emotive tribute to Real’s 1950s hero Alfredo di Stefano, who died in July.
Atletico dominated the first half though, without creating clear chances. Real’s idol Cristiano Ronaldo limped off at half-time with a pulled muscle in his left leg, which will probably keep him out of Friday’s second leg at Atletico’s Estadio Calderon.
Despite this injury, Real took control in the second half and James Rodriguez - who had come on for Ronaldo - broke the deadlock nine minutes from time with a scuffed shot that went in after hitting Atletico defender Cristian Ansaldi.
They are deadball specialists and that is how they scored. We will have to score on Friday, now they have the advantage.
Real then had a clear penalty turned down for handball by Atletico’s Mario Suarez.
Meanwhile, Real veteran Xabi Alonso said, “It was a difficult match, it always is against them.
“They are deadball specialists and that is how they scored. We will have to score on Friday, now they have the advantage.”
The Super Cup is the traditional curtain-raiser for the Spanish season, played between the league champions and the cup winners.
