Valdes to the rescue as Barca wins Super Cup
Print Edition
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes conjured two stunning saves to deny Atletico Madrid and help the La Liga champion seal a fourth Spanish Super Cup in five years on away goals after a scrappy 0-0 second-leg draw at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
After last week’s first leg at the Calderon ended 1-1, expectations of an entertaining spectacle were high when new signing Neymar, who came off the bench to head the equalizer in Madrid, was included in the starting lineup for the first time since joining from Santos.
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi was also back from injury but both struggled to cope with the visitors’ muscular tactics in a game littered with fouls, including the 81st-minute dismissal of Atletico fullback Filipe Luis.
Messi smashed a penalty against the crossbar in the 89th after Miranda had bundled substitute Pedro over in the area but Atletico, constantly looking to catch Barcelona on the break, had the clearer chances from open play.
Arda Turan skipped into the area shortly before halftime and belted the ball toward goal but Valdes flung out an arm and diverted it to safety. David Villa, playing against the club he left in the close season, drew another brilliant stop from his Spain teammate in the 56th, Valdes diving full length to tip his curling effort from just outside the box around the post.
Filipe Luis had been tangling with Brazilian compatriot Daniel Alves all night and another incident led to him being shown a straight red card before Messi saw his penalty ricochet back off the bar.
The triumph was a first trophy for Barcelona’s new coach Gerardo Martino, who replaced the ailing Tito Vilanova last month.
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