Real Madrid, who secured their 15th Champions League title last season, will take on an unexpected contender in Atalanta, who shocked the football world by defeating the previously unstoppable Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.
During the 2023-24 Champions League final at Wembley, Borussia Dortmund seemed poised to capitalize on their chances against Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid. However, the Spanish giants demonstrated their unmatched experience, with Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior sealing the win in the second half, reclaiming the European Cup. This victory was one of three major trophies Real Madrid won last season, alongside the La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup.
Despite a minor setback in the Copa del Rey, where they were eliminated in the last 16, Ancelotti remains at the helm for another season, dismissing earlier rumors of a move to the Brazil national team.
In typical Real Madrid fashion, the European champions have not made significant changes to their squad, although they did say goodbye to long-time players Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernandez. However, they finally secured the signing of Kylian Mbappé, who will be crucial in their quest for a record sixth UEFA Super Cup.
Real Madrid's five UEFA Super Cup titles put them at the top of the leaderboard, tied with Barcelona and Milan. Meanwhile, Atalanta is making their debut in this prestigious match after their unexpected Europa League victory, inspired by Ademola Lookman.
Few believed Atalanta could defeat Xabi Alonso's formidable Leverkusen team, but Lookman’s stunning hat-trick secured the Italian club’s first European title and their first trophy in 61 years.
From a missed panenka penalty during his Fulham days to a Europa League final hero, Lookman’s transformation has been remarkable. But the credit also goes to Gian Piero Gasperini, whose tactical brilliance and intense pressing led Atalanta to victory.
Atalanta’s Europa League triumph capped off a successful season where they also finished fourth in Serie A and were runners-up in the Coppa Italia. They are set to face LDU Quito, the Copa Sudamericana winners, in the UEFA-CONMEBOL Club Challenge and will compete in next year’s Supercoppa Italiana.
Despite their pre-season struggles, with a draw against AZ Alkmaar and heavy defeats to Parma and FC St. Pauli, Atalanta has shown they can rise to the occasion when a European trophy is on the line, as they did in Dublin a few months ago.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Real Madrid will be without their experienced defender David Alaba, who is still recovering from an ACL injury. Eduardo Camavinga also picked up a knock during training, which may keep him out of the lineup. However, Kylian Mbappé is expected to make his first appearance since joining the team after his post-Euro 2024 break.
Ancelotti is likely to field a nearly full-strength team in Warsaw, with key players like Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham set to start. Although he has praised young talents like Endrick and Arda Güler, they are unlikely to be in the starting lineup for this important match.
Mbappé's arrival has sparked rumors about the futures of Brazilian stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, especially with reports that Vinicius turned down a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League. Despite the speculation, both are expected to support Mbappé in the attack.
On the other side, Atalanta has also strengthened their squad with some big signings, including Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui, along with Ben Godfrey, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Ibrahim Sulemana.
However, some familiar faces, such as Hans Hateboer, Pierluigi Gollini, Duvan Zapata, and Aleksei Miranchuk, have departed to make room for the new arrivals.
With Gianluca Scamacca sidelined for months due to an ACL injury, Retegui might make his competitive debut up front. Giorgio Scalvini is also recovering from a similar injury but should be back later in the year. Midfield playmaker Ederson remains with the team despite interest from several Premier League clubs.
Teun Koopmeiners, who has been linked with Juventus and Liverpool, has submitted a transfer request and is not expected to be involved in the Super Cup. Additionally, Zaniolo, Rafael Toloi, and El Bilal Toure are all out for various reasons.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Lookman, De Ketelaere; Retegui
EXPERT PREDICTION
Real Mdrid 2-0 Atalanta
