"I was sure I would have a good game and put Real Madrid in a difficult position. The game clearly changed after their goal, especially when they scored the second goal, which could have been avoided. In the end, they certainly deserved the victory…
We started well. We had a great chance to score. Pašalić almost put the ball in the back of the net, but Courtois stopped it. Then we had a very important chance for Lukman, which he ultimately failed to exploit.
"In this kind of game, the team that scores first has more advantages. It becomes difficult to come back, because there is a risk of a counterattack. I am proud of my team. I am also sorry for the guys, because such opportunities to win a trophy are very rare," Gasperini said, as quoted by Sky Sport Italia.
Real Madrid have won the UEFA Super Cup for a record sixth time.
The game was a closely contested one, with both teams creating chances early on. Atalanta dominated the early stages and had a few golden chances to take the lead, but Courtois was able to stop them. But as Gasperini mentioned, the game turned around when Real Madrid opened the scoring. The Spanish giants gained confidence and managed to score a second goal, which proved to be the decisive blow.
Despite the disappointment of the result, Gasperini was proud of his team's performance and acknowledged the quality of the opponents. He acknowledged that opportunities to win trophies like the UEFA Super Cup are rare and that his players have learned valuable lessons from the experience.
Real Madrid's Super Cup triumph extends their dominance of European football. The Madrid side have now won the prestigious trophy a record six times, underlining their status as one of the continent's powerhouses. This latest success will only enhance their reputation and demonstrate the club's winning mentality.
While Atalanta may have fallen short this time, they can take solace in the fact that they pushed the reigning European champions all the way. The Italian side have established themselves as a formidable force in recent years, and this performance will only strengthen their ambitions to continue challenging Europe's top clubs. Gasperini and his players will no doubt be eager to use this experience as motivation for greater success in the future.
It was an exciting game that demonstrated the quality and character of both teams. Real Madrid's experience and clinical finishing ultimately made the difference, but Atalanta can hold their heads high knowing they put up a good showing against one of the best teams in the world.
