Atalanta aims to block Real Madrid record sixth title in UEFA Super Cup
REAL Madrid will face Atalanta in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, today.
Last season, Los Blancos added another Champions League title, their fifteenth, to their ever-growing trophy cabinet, while the Italian stunned a season-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.
A victory for Madrid would set them apart from fellow five-time victors, Barcelona and Milan, making them the first team to win the UEFA Super Cup six times.
Legendary head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is also eyeing a record fifth Super Cup as a coach, a feat no one else has achieved before.
Additionally, midfield maestro, Luka Modrić, and Champions League final goal scorer, Dani Carvajal, could become the first players to also win five Super Cups.
With Kylian Mbappé poised to make his debut with Los Merengues, this season opener for the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners is generating significant interest and excitement.
Only Atalanta stands in their way.
The Italians are making their first-ever appearance in the Super Cup after securing their debut major European title with an impressive 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last season.
The Orobici are today’s underdogs, and they know it… but they are eager to continue defying expectations and what better way than defeating Europe’s all-time best club.
“Madrid are a fantastic team, but we are happy to be the underdogs,” said their inspirational captain, Marten de Roon.
“It was the same against Leverkusen, so perhaps that’s a good role for us.”
Carlo Ancelotti has a nearly full squad at his disposal, with the only absentee being veteran defender, David Alaba, who is still recovering from his ACL injury.
Mbappe’s arrival has sparked rumors about the futures of the two Brazilian wizards, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, with the latter reportedly rejecting a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League.
However, reports suggest the duo will be supporting the former PSG forward from the flanks.
Atalanta has been busy during this transfer window, securing Charles De Ketelaere’s contract and keeping him home, and adding several key players, including Mateo Retegui from Genoa, Ben Godfrey from Everton, and Ibrahim Sulemana from Cagliari Calcio.
Teun Koopmeiners did not travel to Warsaw with the team, reportedly pushing for a transfer to Juventus.
His refusal to train or play as he seeks to finalise his move further disrupted Atalanta’s preparations, leaving them out of their most influential players and adding pressure on Ademola Lookman’s shoulders.
Underrated and entering his prime at 26 years old, the Nigerian international is the key player to watch for Atalanta. —Vavel
