"Without Cristiano it's a different story": The press reacts to Lopetegui's debut
The manner of Real Madrid's defeat has caused many doubts following the losses of Zidane and Cristiano this summer
It only took 120 minutes of Julen Lopetegui's first official match in charge for people to begin doubting Real Madrid's chances next season. The disastrous defeat in the UEFA Super Cup final against Atletico Madrid has forced Florentino Perez to once again re-examine the transfer market as the team looks far from ready to challenge at the top. In various newspapers across the international press, they suggested the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo had made Real Madrid appear toothless.
On the other side, many praised the work of Diego Simeone who was finally able to overcome his city rivals in a European tie. Diego Costa was the stand-out performer for Atleti.
Here is how the international press saw the UEFA Super Cup:
AS: "Atletico Madrid sting Real Madrid as they hesitate in the transfer market. Atleti now have one trophy and a budding project. Lopetegui has many pending requests."
Tomás Roncero: "Real Madrid lost this match because of incredible errors, inappropriate for this grand stage. Ramos and Varane wrapped up and handed Diego Costa the first goal. For their second Marcelo, for how good he is, can't afford to make those type of mistakes. In extra time, Varane looked out of form. That was clear. They need to dig deep and sign a 'killer' in the box.
"Cristiano and Zidane have gone. It'll hurt for a while. I'm sure we'll regret those key losses but in football you can't look back."
MARCA: "There's a lot of work to be done in the Bernabeu offices. The gifts handed to Atletico and the substitutions only increase the doubts about Real Madrid. It's summer, we're in the month of August, a time to think about other things, but at the Santiago Bernabeu there's plenty of work to be done. And it all came tumbling down with 15 minutes to go in the UEFA Super Cup final. An unnecessary gift from Marcelo, when there was apparently no danger of letting the ball go out, has created doubts at Real Madrid and given joy to Atletico. They continue to play in the same style but with better players. The same can't be said for Real Madrid. The work begins in the dugout and in the offices. The post-Cristiano era hasn't started off on the right foot."
El Chiringuito: "Real Madrid suffer a major blow"
Gazzetta Dello Sport: "Without Cristiano Ronaldo, this isn't Real Madrid. A great comeback by Atletico. Real Madrid, without Cristiano, are going to have a lot of problems. With CR7 at the lake with Georgina and Cristaninho, Atletico knocked out their hated neighbours. Real were a disaster."
L'Equipe: "Atlético have the last word. This Real Madrid side has changed a lot. Without Cristiano or Zidane, Real suffered a serious bang to their head."
Record: "Post-Ronaldo show is painful for Real Madrid: it's the end of a fantastic run."
A Bola: "Atlético outgrow Real Madrid and take the Super Cup."
Olé: "Cholo is the Super Champion."
