Real Madrid vs Atalanta – UEFA Super Cup – Preview, Team News and Updates

13 Aug 2024 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Football fans buckle up because we are in for a wild ride, as Real Madrid and Atalanta clash on Wednesday night to kick off European football in style. The two clubs meet in the UEFA Super Cup after their triumphant European campaigns in the 2023/24 season.

Real Madrid added another feather to their cap when they defeated Borussia Dortmund to clinch their 15th Champions League title. This victory reinforced their status as the undisputed kings of Europe. Meanwhile, Atalanta pulled off a shock win against hitherto invincibles, Bayer Leverkusen. Ademola Lookman was the star-man, as he scored a Europa League hattrick to hand La Dea their first title in 61 years.

They now face Los Blancos in the European curtain raiser, with an opportunity to pull off yet another major upset. Which team will come out on top and claim the 2024/25 season’s first European trophy?

Real Madrid vs Atalanta – Match Preview

Since the turn of the century, no club has dominated European football quite like Real Madrid. Los Blancos have won the Champions league seven times since 2000. They are the undisputed masters of European football. Whenever Real enter a final, fans expect them to win it. The 2023 Champions League final was no different. However, for most of the match, it seemed like Dortmund would come out on top. However, after squandering several chances, it was Real who struck first with a goal from Dani Carvajal. Los Blancos’ performance had an air of certainty, and Vinicius Jr. put the game beyond any doubt with a second goal, late in the game.

For the new season, Real Madrid’s hierarchy haven’t rested on their laurels. Instead, they have dipped back into the transfer market to sign arguably the best player in the world right now. After years of will he won’t he, Kylian Mbappe finally joined Real this transfer window. Los Blancos have also added talent 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to their roster. However, Real Madrid have lost significant experience with the departures of Toni Kroos and Nacho. Despite this, Real Madrid will look to break another record by winning their sixth UEFA Super Cup title.

While Real Madrid’s five UEFA Super Cup titles place them at the top of the leaderboard alongside Barcelona and Milan, Wednesday’s clash in Warsaw will be Atalanta’s first experience in this prestigious continental curtain-raiser. On their way to the Europa League title, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men defeated continental giants like Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. However, most fans didn’t think that the small Bergamo-based club would outshine European heavyweights like Marseille, Sporting CP and Liverpool.

European glory was complemented by a fourth-place finish in last season’s Serie A standings, along with a runners-up Coppa Italia medal. However, Atalanta’s preseason preparations haven’t gone according to plan. They started their preseason with a 2-2 draw with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. After that game, Atalanta succumbed to heavy defeats at the hands of Parma (4-1) and St. Pauli (3-0). Having said that, La Dea can turn up the heat to a 100 when a European trophy is on the line. So, don’t underestimate them.

Real Madrid vs Atalanta – Team News and Updates

Atalanta have been busy in the transfer market, securing some high-profile attacking talents. They’ve locked in a permanent deal for Charles De Ketelaere and brought in Mateo Retegui from Genoa. Alongside them, Ben Godfrey, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Ibrahim Sulemana have also joined the squad.

In making room for these fresh faces, a few of the old guard have moved on, including Hans Hateboer, Pierluigi Gollini, Duvan Zapata, and Aleksei Miranchuk. With Gianluca Scamacca sidelined for months due to an ACL injury, Retegui could be making his competitive debut up front.

Giorgio Scalvini is also on the mend from a similar injury but is expected to return before the year’s end. Meanwhile, midfield maestro Ederson remains with La Dea despite interest from several Premier League giants. However, Teun Koopmeiners, who’s attracted attention from Juventus and Liverpool, has reportedly handed in a transfer request and is unlikely to feature in the Super Cup.

On the other hand, the only Real Madrid player that won’t feature in the continental curtain raiser is David Alaba. The Austrian defender suffered an ACL injury last season and is still on his road to recovery. Carvajal and Jude Bellingham, who were standout performers in the Champions League final, are set to be in the squad. While Carlo Ancelotti has been hyping up young talents like Endrick and Arda Guler ahead of the UEFA Super Cup, it's unlikely they'll start in this match.

Mbappe's arrival has stirred up some talk about the futures of Brazilian stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. Despite rumors of a huge offer from the Saudi Pro League, Rodrygo has reportedly turned it down, and both he and Vinicius are expected to join forces with Mbappe for this key clash.