'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAASRr/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAhEAABBAEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEBQYAEiETFCMxgv/aAAgBAQABPwDHMFxaHVBEdp2HZzdeG6Tz5SWN1VJfodVLNRKq4ciVUVpvusg44Xa+yUUVV4PX/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECIv/aAAgBAgEBPwCdQmz/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAID/9oACAEDAQE/AM7Iz//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Hit: Diego Costa
The man, the myth, and the bully. The Brazilian born Spaniard was simply exquisite for Atletico Madrid on the night, doing exactly what he does best. Relentless battle combined with his magnificent ability to find the slightest of chances in front of goal, making the most of them, Diego Costa had a hoard of Chelsea fans cursing Antonio Conte even more.
Trending
The former Blues striker made himself a menace from the get-go, scoring at 49 seconds, the quickest goal in the UEFA Super-Cup’s history. And if that wasn’t enough, he bullied Sergio Ramos and got bullied in return, but made sure that Real Madrid and their backline knew he was playing against them.
The 29-year-old walked away with the man of the match for his two crucial goals, one at the start and one in the death of normal time, and his part in the third and fourth goals but he laid everything out on the pitch for the world to see. If Costa continues like this, Antoine Griezmann certainly has someone he can depend upon to ease the burden, and maybe this could be Atleti’s year.
#1 Flop: Raphael Varane
An absolute horror show for the Frenchman, as he made not one but two crucial errors that ended up leading to a goal. His mistake on the way towards Atletico Madrid’s game-winning goal, which Saul Niguez volleyed with ease, was a mistake, which simply shouldn’t be made from a center-back who has been a crucial part of the last three Champions League winning teams.
Varane looked lost much before then and was badly bullied within the opening minute of the clash by Diego Costa, in the build-up to the opening goal. The 25-year-old never recovered from that and was a shadow of himself giving partner Sergio Ramos a lot to deal with.
Things did not get better, and Real Madrid ended up conceded 3 more goals to effectively end the tie. President Florentino Perez has big plans for this current crop of players but if they don’t fix their defense, then any hopes of a title race will end long before it even starts.
