Last season Diego Simeone’s side pipped Real Madrid to the league title, now they have beaten them in the Spanish Super Cup.
Money might buy a club the best players from the last World Cup but Atletico Madrid’s motivation and organisation continues to be absolutely priceless and it was too much for Carlo Ancelotti’s confused European Champions who were behind after 80 seconds and never found a way back.
With the league season due to start this weekend all is not as it should be for Ancelotti.
Midfielder Sami Khedira went to watch his brother play in Germany on Friday without permission from the club and looks set to be fined; Angel Di Maria was left out of the squad completely; and Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench not fit to start.
Atletico Madrid started the new season as they finished the last, eclipsing their illustrious neighbours to pick up a trophy after Mario Mandzukic sealed a 2-1 win in the Spanish Super Cup.
After Tuesday's 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, Mario Mandzukic took just 90 seconds to put the La Liga champions ahead in the tie when he latched onto a knock down from Raul Garcia and slotted the ball past Iker Casillas.
Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez both went close to grabbing an equaliser and Real sent on Cristiano Ronaldo as a second-half substitute but Atletico held on despite coach Diego Simeone being sent to the stands for patting the head of the assistant referee.
Luka Modric also saw red late on for two bookings.
