Copa del Rey 2012-13

The Guardian had a good article today on 6 memorable Madrid derbies, including a European Cup semifinal in 1959, the 1992 Copa del Rey Final where Atletico, inspired by Bernd Schuster who had been discarded by Real Madrid, won and that 1999 league match, Atletico's last win in the series between the two clubs.

Some good anecdotes in there too, my two favorites, this one which shows that speculation about transfers is not a recent creation corresponding to the Internet Age,

Of course, this was no ordinary Real side. It was the Real side of Alfredo di Stefano, Raymond Kopa and Ferenc Puskas, a side about whom people spoke in hushed tones, the side who would famously defenestrate Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at a gobsmacked Hampden Park in the 1960 final. "Real – Show Team Of Europe" ran one Guardian headline in September 1959. "The transfer of Pelé to Real next year seems probable," wrote the Guardian's correspondent. Pelé never arrived but it hardly seemed to matter.

And this comment from Luis Aragones, the then Atletico coach before their 1992 Copa del Rey matchup, wher ehe used a prop,

Of course, players shouldn't really need any extra motivation before a Cup final, especially when it's a Cup final against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Aragonés wasn't taking any chances, though. Before the match, he picked up a bottle of coke off the floor of the dressing room. "See this bottle?" he asked his team. They saw the bottle. So he went on.

"We're going to stick it up their arses!" he screamed. "Right the way up! "Forget tactics. It's Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. They've been sticking it up our arses for so long, now it's our chance to stick it up theirs!"


Apparently Aragones' team talk worked, Atletico won that match!

Great article Rufus, thank you for linking it.

I knew Luis Aragones would find his way into a historical discussion of Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid! A larger than life character and one of Atletico's all time greats both as a player and manager.

Diego Simeone has toughend up Atletico but you do wonder if they have the mental strength to recover from an early Real Madrid goal?

It's hard for me to imagine a more fitting end to Mourinismo in Madrid. It's as if his entire tenure at the club was encapsulated in 120 minutes.

I just hope Simeone did not use a Coke bottle as a prop before this match!

As someone wrote earlier, you knew the Real Madrid winning streak against Atlético had to end someday. Today, or rather tonight, Ok well last night now my time, it ended.

Simeone had Atlético prepared, Mourinho did not have Real Madrid ready for this match. Yes, Real Madrid has more talent, hit the post at least 3 times and forced Courtois into several good saves, including one extraordinary one from Ozil in extra time but it was Atleti who looked more poised and controlled. Real Madrid lost their cool, resulting in expulsions for both Mourinho and Ronaldo.

And then to emphasise even more the difference between the two coaches, in Simeone's press conference he kept referring to the team, in Mourinho's it was me, me & me.

Well said. In a way I am almost glad Real Madrid not only did not win but lost this the way they did. I hope it accelerates Mourinho's departure. Now if the socios would only come to their senses and send Florentino Perez packing too!

Congrats Manzanares and any other Atletico fans here. Your team played with heart, good tactics and got a couple of wonderful saves from Courtois. That stop on Ozil was one of the best saves I have seen all season long.

Real Madrid may have had some misfortune with all of those posts hit but they played like a team hit by internal strife as they were very edgy throughout.

Even in the best of times Real Madrid is not an easy team to coach, but after millions of euros spent under Jose Mourinho, and giving him almost exclusive control of personnel decisions, Real Madrid won in his 3 year tenure, one league and one Copa del Rey. Not exactly getting value for your money.

Simeone did have Atletico ready for that game. They absorbed some pressure but never broke, with help, as already noted, from the post and goalie Courtois. Why did Real Madrid take Modric off? He was their best midfielder on the night. After he left the team became more predictable.

I agree with Merengue, the team (Real Madrid) looked on edge, definitely there is something not right within the vestuario (what is that dressing room?) I do not recall Ronaldo losing his cool quite like he did in this game. Even before his red card he had retaliated several times but had been fortunate to escape punishment. To be honest he and many of his Real Madrid teammates looked to be going through the motions while Atletico played like their lives depended on it. That reflects Simeone and his "take no prisoners" attitude. On the other end Mourinho apparently is prearing for his exit interview.

The way Real lost this battle is so cruel. But You must give to the Atletico specially their Goal Keeper. Superb guy. Sad thing for Madrid fans is they remain trophy less this season. lol

Well I have been getting it from my Atlético supporting brother in law. He has had years of frustration which he needed to expel!

Real Madrid should have won this match, the chances were there, they just did not finish them off. I did not understand taking Modric off either rosarino. But it is not just that move but the lack of discipline on the field and the bench. Mourinho has lost it hasn't he?

I can only echo what others have written, pretty fitting that Real Madrid would lose their heads in such a way and it does aptly describe these final few months for the club under Mourinho. But who really is at fault for this? The man who gave Mourinho carte blanche- Florentino Perez. When will Real Madrid's socios realize the folly of having this man run the club?

All I can say is I am still enjoying this win.

It was a long time coming for sure but the sweetness of such a win is what we Atleti supporters live for. All the more when we see Real Madrid suffering and especially seeing them self destruct the way they did.

Who knows what will happen this summer, I can hope that Champions League qualification will entice both Falcao (what a fine move to set up Diego Costa's goal) and Courtois (an amazing save from Ozil) to stay but rumors of course are running rampant. At least Simeone will still be around to coach the team and with him in charge, it will be enjoyable time for the fans.