The 2024 UEFA Super Cup goes down at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, with Champions League winners Real Madrid battling Europa League victors Atalanta.
2024 UEFA Super Cup
Los Blancos come into this game as favorites, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are no pushovers as they have what it takes to spring a surprise.
Real Madrid won the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final through goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr, with that earning them a place in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup.
Atalanta humbled Xabi Aloso’s Bayer Leverkusen, courtesy of the brilliance of Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, who netted a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final.
The encounter in Warsaw is expected to be keenly contested, with high-octane football likely to be witnessed.
Many football enthusiasts are interested in seeing how Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will line up his attacking trident – Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrigo – and how they function together.
Some fans are also interested in seeing how Atalanta will match up against Los Blancos, as oftentimes in the 21st century, the UEFA Super Cup has been claimed by the team that won the UEFA Champions League.
Last Europa League Champion To Win The UEFA Super Cup?
Atletico Madrid were the last team to claim the UEFA Super Cup after winning the Europa League.
They defeated Real Madrid 4-2 after extra time in an explosive game played at the A Le Coq Arena in Estonia.
There is the possibility of seeing a goal bash at the National Stadium in Warsaw, given the quality expected to be on parade.
The two teams also play a distinctive brand of football that can produce goals.
Real Madrid 2024 Preseason Outing
Real Madrid have had a poor preseason outing this summer, losing 1-0 to AC Milan on August 1, 2024.
Los Blancos were also beaten by Barcelona 1-2 on August 4, 2024, before defeating Chelsea 2-1 three days later.
Atalanta 2024 Preseason Results
Additionally, Atalanta have been disappointing in the preseason, suffering defeats to Parma and St Pauli on August 4 and August 9, 2024, after playing out a 2-2 draw with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Real Madrid And Atalanta
Both teams look quite different compared to how they shaped up last season, as Real Madrid lost two veterans at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Toni Kross retired from football following the conclusion of Euro 2024 in Germany, while Nacho Fernandez left Real Madrid for Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.
Meanwhile, Atalanta will be featuring in the UEFA Super Cup for the first team in the club’s history on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, and they will be keen on causing an upset against giants Real Madrid.
Los Merengues have made just 2 signings this summer, with youngster Endrick officially joining the team in July 2024, while Kylian Mbappe’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu was confirmed in June 2024.
The Goddess have been busy this summer, signing; Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui, Ben Godfrey, and Ibrahim Sulemana.
Nicolò Zaniolo was also acquired from Turkish giants Galatasaray and it will be fascinating to see what these additions will bring to the Bergamo-based club.
Team News For Real Madrid
David Alaba will be absent from the encounter, as he is still recovering from a lengthy ACL injury, which he sustained in December 2023.
Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Endrick are all expected to feature in this encounter.
Team News For Atalanta
Ben Godfrey, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Ibrahim Sulemana will likely make their Atalanta debuts in this fixture.
Forward Gianluca Scamacca will be absent from the 2024 UEFA Super Cup, as he is nursing a Cruciate ligament injury.
Defender Giorgio Scalvini will also not be a part of the clash due to a Cruciate ligament damage, while Rafael Toloi is battling a thigh problem and should be back in the dying embers of August 2024.
Teun Koopmeiners, will also not feature as he pushes to leave the Bergamo club and he has been linked with teams like Juventus and Liverpool this summer.
Real Madrid Possible Starting Lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Atlanta BC Possible Starting Lineup:
Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Lookman, De Ketelaere; Retegui
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Atalanta
Kick-off Time And Date: 08:00 PM (WAT), and August 14, 2024.
