Real Madrid took revenge for last year’s defeat in the Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid by emphatically beating their city rivals in the first leg of the semi-finals.
Youngster Jese Rodriguez, who started thanks to Gareth Bale’s injury, lead his team in a fantastic match from the home side. Los Blancos were in total control at all moment, and they had chances to earn an even better result. Nevertheless, with a 3-0 victory, Real have one foot in the final.
The first half was very intense, with a tremendous battle between Diego Costa and Real’s defenders, who constantly tried to make the Brazilian lose his cool and pick up a yellow card that would get him out of the second leg.
Madrid dominated possession during most part of the game. Luka Modric was superb in organizing the attacks and a brilliant Jese was constantly causing danger in the right wing.
Atleti showed their usual solid defending, but they got unlucky in a shot from 30 metres by Pepe that deflected off Emiliano Insua and ended up in the back of the net.
Los Merengues gained even more confidence after the goal and continued threatening Atletico. Modric was close to making it 2-0 as he met a high ball on the edge of the box, but Thibaut Courtois denied the Croatian’s effort.
Diego Simeone tried to get more intensity from his side bringing Cristian Rodriguez on after half-time. However, Real were in total control and got their second just before the hour mark. Courtois was taken by surprise as Jese softly poked home a brilliant assist from Di Maria.
The Santiago Bernabeu was celebrating a great match from their men, and it got even better when Diego Costa fell into Di Maria’s trap to pick up an undeserved yellow card. Pepe unsportingly laughed at the Brazilian, knowing he will miss the away leg.
Madrid got lucky again when Di Maria fired in a poor effort from more than 30 metres and his shot deflected off Joao Miranda and into the bottom corner.
It was cruel for Atletico to concede two goals that way, but it was a deserved win for Madrid, who only lost concentration in one play, just before Di Maria’s goal, as Modric cleared the ball off the line after Godin’s header.
With the visitors looking depressed after Madrid’s third goal, Ronaldo had a couple of chances to completely seal Los Blancos qualification for the final.
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