The quest for European glory within the 2024-25 season begins Wednesday night as reigning Champions League champions Real Madrid tackle Europa League holders Atalanta in Warsaw for the UEFA Super Cup.
Real Madrid, recent off securing their fifteenth continental title, face Atalanta, who shocked Bayer Leverkusen within the Europa League ultimate.
As Borussia Dortmund squandered likelihood after likelihood within the 2023-24 Champions League ultimate at Wembley, it appeared inevitable they might remorse their missed alternatives in opposition to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, recognized for his or her unparalleled European experience.
The prediction proved true as Real Madrid, guided by Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, delivered a ruthless second-half efficiency to reclaim the European Cup.
This triumph added to their 2023-24 haul, which additionally included La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
The solely blemish on Ancelotti’s in any other case stellar season was a last-16 exit within the Copa del Rey.
Despite earlier indications of a possible transfer to the Brazil nationwide group, the beloved “Don Carlo” has determined to stay on the Real Madrid helm for at the least another season.
In true Blancos model, the European champions have opted in opposition to a significant summer season overhaul of their squad, regardless of the departures of key gamers Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernández. However, Kylian Mbappe has lastly joined the ranks after years of hypothesis.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star has been watching Real Madrid’s blended preseason from a distance –Ancelotti’s facet secured victories over Chelsea and Albacete however fell to AC Milan and Barcelona.
Now, Mbappe is about to bolster Los Blancos’ pursuit of an unprecedented sixth UEFA Super Cup.
With Real Madrid’s 5 UEFA Super Cup titles tying them on the high alongside Barcelona and Milan, Wednesday’s conflict in Warsaw will mark Atalanta’s debut on this prestigious curtain raiser, following their Europa League triumph led by Ademola Lookman.
Despite their spectacular victory over favorites Liverpool, few anticipated Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet overcoming Xabi Alonso’s formidable Leverkusen group. Yet Lookman’s gorgeous hat trick secured La Dea’s first European title and their first trophy in 61 years.
From lacking a panenka penalty with Fulham to changing into the primary participant to attain a hat trick in a Europa League ultimate, Lookman dazzled together with his attacking prowess.
However, Gasperini additionally earned popularity of his tactical brilliance, orchestrating a efficiency that noticed his group outplay the Bundesliga giants.
Atalanta’s Europa League triumph complemented a powerful season that noticed them end fourth in Serie A and safe a Coppa Italia runners-up medal.
They are additionally set to face Copa Sudamericana champions LDU Quito within the UEFA-CONMEBOL Club Challenge and can compete in subsequent yr’s Supercoppa Italiana.
Despite a disappointing preseason, marked by a 2-2 draw with AZ Alkmaar adopted by heavy defeats to Parma (4-1) and FC St. Pauli (3-0), Atalanta has proven they will rise to the event when a European title is at stake, as evidenced by their latest performances in Dublin.
With solely skilled defender David Alaba sidelined attributable to his prolonged ACL restoration, Real Madrid’s beginning XI in Warsaw will prominently function Mbappe, now absolutely built-in after his post-Euro 2024 vacation.
Finalists Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham are set to be included in a close to full-strength lineup from Ancelotti, who has praised the rising abilities Endrick and Arda Güler forward of the UEFA Super Cup, although they’re unlikely to start out.
Mbappe’s arrival has sparked hypothesis in regards to the futures of Brazilian stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. The latter reportedly rejected a profitable supply from the Saudi Pro League, however each are anticipated to assist their French teammate within the upcoming conflict.
Atalanta has bolstered their assault with high-profile signings, securing Charles De Ketelaere on a everlasting deal and buying Mateo Retegui from Genoa.
They have additionally strengthened their squad with additions like Ben Godfrey, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Ibrahim Sulemana.
Several veterans, together with Hans Hateboer, Pierluigi Gollini, Duván Zapata, and Aleksei Miranchuk, have departed to make method for these new arrivals.
Retegui is poised to make his aggressive debut within the absence of Gianluca Scamacca, who’s sidelined for months with an ACL damage.
Giorgio Scalvini is on the street to restoration from an identical damage however is anticipated again earlier than year-end.
Midfield star Ederson stays at Gewiss Stadium regardless of curiosity from Premier League golf equipment.
However, Netherlands worldwide Teun Koopmeiners, who has attracted curiosity from Juventus and Liverpool, has submitted a switch request and isn’t anticipated to function within the Super Cup.
Source: www.dailysabah.com