Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid will tonight at the Calderon lock horns together in search of another trophy, something that has become a familiar sight and breathed new life into the Madrid derby.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid battle for Spanish Super Cup Trophy tonight at the Calderon
After Atlético won the league and Real the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup has taken on a new dimension and is now a question of honour between the Madrid rivals, whose meetings are ever more fraught with tension. The 'Rojiblancos' are out for revenge whilst Real are keen to show off their form after their recent triumph in Lisbon.
The first leg didn't provide any great footballing spectacle, although it did underline the rivalry between the two. The Madrid derby isn't far behind the 'Clásico' and is on course to match it as the ultimate showdown in Spanish football.
Atlético have the slightest advantage going into the second game as they managed to come away from the Bernabéu with a positive result and now play in front of a home crowd. The Calderón will be packed to the rafters and the fans will give their team an added extra.
For their part, Real will field a spectacular side replete with big name signings. The only dilemma Ancelotti faces is whether to give Keylor Navas another chance, even though it seems clear his first choice keeper in La Liga and the Champions League will be Casillas. In midfield, it seems likely the Italian will opt for the same line-up that won the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff: Kroos, Modric and James. Up front, none other than the infallible BBC.
Meanwhile, Simeone and Ancelotti are slowly forging a sporting rivalry that is now moving into the press room. Madrid derby games are back in all their glory and that is reflected in both the players' and coaches' appearances in front of the press.
Simeone's controversial comments on Di María led to Ancelotti hitting back sarcastically and referring to Bale's Champions League goal in Lisbon.
Real and Atlético have played each other six times in less than a year, with a balance of three Real wins, two draws and one Atlético win. Those statistics could point to a certain inequality between the teams, but the truth of the matter is that, except in the Cup, every game was electrifying and had silverware up for grabs.
Atlético won the league thanks to their win at the Bernabéu and a draw in the return fixture. Real took the Champions, in a game that Atlético were winning until the 93rd minute. This is an evenly-matched rivalry between two teams that have pushed Real vs. Barcelona Clásicos into the background.
Tonight, a seventh derby game between Simeone and Ancelotti will decide yet another title: the Spanish Super Cup.
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