“Florentino is going to kick you out“

Another city derby and another show (in every sense). Real and Atletico met in Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup and there were goals, there were chances and there were incidents. After a humiliating 5-2 defeat in La Liga, Xabi Alonso got his revenge over Cholo Simeone and won 2-1, sending the city rival home. But the centerpiece of the game was again Vinicius Jr. No, the Brazilian wasn‘t brilliant, he didn‘t score, he didn‘t assist, but he provoked and then complained when he got the reply. And the camera‘s caught brilliant Simeone‘s reaction.

Let‘s not pretend that Atletico Madrid boss is a nice person. The Argentinian is also well known for his mind games but he didn‘t start it this time actually. The Brazilian felt that he should intervene in the first half, when Atletico bench wanted a penalty. It all started when substitutes and assistant coaches jumped up after a shot from Julian struck Rudiger's hand, protesting to the referee. Vinicius felt it was time to intervene and provoke. He walked towards the Atletico bench: “Yeah, yeah, they’re going to give you a penalty”. Simeone told him to keep playing but Vinicius approached him and repeated “Relax, they’ll give you a penalty now”. That is when, captured by Movistar Plus+ cameras, Simeone told Vinicius: "Florentino is going to get you fired, 'remember' what I'm telling you".

Valverde's early missile sets the stage for El Clasico in the Super Cup final

Atletico boss then went on to Carvajal at half-time and explained what happened. By the 81st minute, while Real was leading 2-1, it was time for Vinicius to come out. He was walking slowly and the majority of the stadium was booing him. As he approached the technical area, Simeone looked at him, smiled and pointed at his ears and then at the stands, signalizing to him that the stadium is booing at him. That‘s when assistants and the fourth referee intervened and even Xavi Alonso, obviously not aware who started the spat first, yelled at Cholo: "You stick to your own team, you son of a bitch!". Hilariously, it was Real boss who complained after the game.

"I didn't like the moment. Cholo said something to him, and those things go against the spirit you should have for your teammates. I don't like it when teammates are spoken to like that. Not everything is acceptable" said Xabi, obviously ignoring the fact that it was his player who started it first. And what‘s even worse it was the same Vinicius who even clashed with Alonso himself. As for Simeone, he was gentlemen after the match and simply said:

"What happens on the field, ever since we were kids, stays there, nothing to say" When pressed by the media about Florentino Perez comments, Simeone responded: "I don't remember, I have a bad memory".

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 19

Friday

23.00: (3.45) Getafe (2.95) Sociedad (2.50)

Saturday

16.00: (4.10) Oviedo (3.45) Betis (1.92)

18.15: (1.50) Villareal (4.30) Alaves (7.75)

20.30: (2.35) Girona (3.30) Osasuna (3.10)

23.00: (2.30) Valencia (3.40) Elche (3.35)

Sunday

16.00: (1.95) Rayo Vallecano (3.45) Mallorca (4.50)

18.15: (3.10) Levante (3.30) Espanyol (2.35)

***odds are subject to change***