Madrid: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone claimed compatriot Angel Di Maria is Real Madrid’s best player after the Argentine midfielder started on the bench as the Champions League finalists drew 1-1 in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.
There are rumours that Di Maria will move away from the Spanish capital, given the wealth of attacking options after the arrival of World Cup star James Rodriguez, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested.
However, Simeone claimed that Di Maria is even more vital to Real than World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
“In the first half, despite defending close to our area we had three or four chances to score a goal,” he said.
“The second half was more or less the same, with a little bit better play from Madrid with the introduction of Di Maria.
“That was logical because he is the best player they have. It is an important draw and allows us to play for the trophy at home with a 50-50 chance.
“It is my opinion that Di Maria is Madrid’s best player for sure. His ability to change games in the middle of the park helps everyone else to play well.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti rebuked Simeone for failing to mention Ronaldo and Bale, who both scored as Real beat Atletico 4-1 after extra time in the Champions League final in Lisbon back in May.
“He has forgotten the World Player of the Year and Bale, who scored in Lisbon. He has forgotten many players, but it is true Di Maria is one of many great players we have.
“He is a Real Madrid player and I will use him as I think is best.”
Ronaldo was replaced at half-time due to a minor muscle injury, but Ancelotti is convinced the Portuguese won’t be sidelined for any prolonged period of time.
“He had a strain after the first-half and he wasn’t comfortable. We will evaluate him tomorrow and do all the proper checks, but it doesn’t appear anything too serious,” said the Italian.
Rodriguez had also surprisingly started on the bench, but he made his presence felt after replacing Ronaldo in the second-half as he scored his first goal for Madrid 10 minutes from time to open the scoring.
However, Atletico weren’t to be denied and Raul Garcia flicked home two minutes from time to give them a vital away goal heading into the return leg at the Vicente Calderon on Friday.
Despite leaving James and Angel di Maria on the bench from the off, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti saw his side dominate possession in the opening 45 minutes against a typically physical Atletico side.
However, Real created precious little in front of goal and it was Atletico who had the better chances in the first-half as both Mario Mandzukic and Saul Niguez forced Iker Casillas into smart saves down to his left.
Ronaldo’s only impression on the match, before he departed, came four minutes before the break as he rose highest to meet Gareth Bale’s cross, but couldn’t get enough purchase in his header and the ball floated wide.
The Portuguese then made way for Rodriguez at the break and Real instantly made a greater impression on the Atletico goal as Bale’s powerful right-footed effort was beaten away by Moya.
There was an escape for the Atletico ‘keeper on his debut 20 minutes from time, though, as he could only parry Bale’s fierce free-kick back into the danger area and Toni Kroos blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
Real continued to push in search of the winner and thought they had it on 80 minutes when Rodriguez fired home with the aid of a deflection off Cristian Ansaldi.
Yet Atletico responded with the kind of spirit that willed them to the La Liga title last season and Koke’s fierce shot had to be turned away by Casillas.
There was nothing the Spanish captain could do moments later as the unmarked Garcia flicked home Koke’s corner.
Real will now have to score at least once when they visit the Calderon later in the week if they are to continue their quest for six trophies this season having already collected the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Sevilla last week.
Meanwhile, Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has extended his contract with Real Madrid by one season until 2018, the Spanish giants announced on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Modric, capped 78 times by Croatia, has been with Real since 2012, playing 106 matches and scoring six goals over the last two seasons.
The former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker has been part of a Real squad that won the 2012 Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, before winning the UEFA SuperCup last week.
