Back to the Final

By El Maestro

For the third time in the last four seasons, Real Madrid will be playing the final of the Copa del Rey  after hammering Atletico Madrid by an aggregate score of 5-0 in what was (in my opinion) the best Madrid Derby in over a decade, and I not saying this because of the outcome. I’m talking about what happened on the field.

Three simple words: I LOVED IT!

These were two true rivalry games. Both teams disliking each other, wanting to win and playing to the limit. Were there things that went over the line? Yes, quite a few actually, but it’s a rivalry. It’s normal for players to have these individual battles with one another. Already, many are criticizing the things that went on and saying it is detrimental to ‘La Coja’. So my response to those who continue to mix the Spanish national team with the Barcelona/Atletico vs. Real Madrid rivalry, I say this.

1. That’s Del Boque’s responsibility. It’s his job to make sure these players put there differences aside when they represent Spain. If he can’t do it, then he shouldn’t be in charge.

2. Leave it all on the field. This is something every player is taught from the time they start playing.  It doesn’t matter if you have friends on the opposing team, you play your heart out and represent your team professionally. Then, once the game is over, things can go back to normal. It is that simple and is the way it should be.

Now, in terms of play on the field, Madrid’s 1st leg performance shocked me. Real Madrid not just dominated ‘los Colchoneros’ for the full 90 minutes, they did not let them breath. Despite coming in as league leaders for the first time since 1996, Madrid sucked them dry and gave them absolutely no space to work with. If fact, Atletico only had two shots on goal and four the entire series: two stopped by Iker (one where he actually had to stretch out), one hitting the post and another being cleared off the line by Modric. Along with Atletico’s bad play, the bad luck that always surrounded them when playing these games came back as two of Madrid’s three goals were deflected own goals.

If the first game was bad, the second was a continuation as Atletico’s hopes of actually overturning the deficit in the Calderon was diminished after only seven minutes when an unnecessary foul from Manquillo inside the box was called and transformed by ‘La Maquina’. Things would get even worse when yet another penalty was whistled and made again by CR7. After the goal and with Atletico still treating the game as a 0-0 game, Madrid took a conservative approach and simply played the rest of the match. With the Copa final not for another two months, La Liga tighter than ever and the Champions League coming up, it was not worth going all out and putting players at risk of suspension and/or injury. In fact, Ramos (who was a yellow allow from missing the final) was taken off at halftime, then Modric made way for Casemiro and even CR7 (booed and chase the entire time) was substituted for Jese.

Good decision taking into consideration that it got ugly everywhere. Players were getting into it, fans of both teams were causing problems and the icing was put on the cake when Ronaldo was hit on the head by lighter. Thrown by an individual who somehow escaped without being noticed or caught on camera. An incident that was only laughed at by the Spanish federation who did not suspend the game or empty the stadium, and then rubbed it into Madrid’s face by only fining Atletico €600.

This is not a joke or a typo, Atletico really got fined €600 (not €600,000). While CR7 is still forced to complete his three game suspension and pay €1,200 just for touching Gurpegui’s face.

The game did have a scary moment when Atletico right back, Javier Manquillo, landed awkwardly on his head after fighting for a lose ball with Cristiano. Thankfully, he was able to walk off on his own power and was released from the hospital the very next. He will be out for the next few weeks, but at least the injury didn’t turn out to be as serious as previously thought (Recuperate Manquillo).

After this, no further incidents occurred, and Madrid was able to finish the job without any serious repercussions. Now we must wait until mid April for the final where it will be an exact repeat of the 2011 encounter against the same team and in the same venue (Mestalla).

No final until then, but at least the Champions League is coming back this week (YA!).