After an electric 2023/24 across Europe, the first continental silverware of the new campaign will be won in Warsaw in this UEFA Super Cup clash between 15-time and current Champions League winners Real Madrid, and Europa League champions Atalanta. With five Super Cups already in their trophy cabinet, Real can establish themselves as the outright most successful team in this competition ahead of AC Milan and Barcelona with a win here.
Many may find it hard to see past yet another Real Madrid win in their ninth Super Cup appearance (W5, L3), especially when considering the kind of form they posted last season. Culminating in their victory over Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley, Real have not lost a competitive game since dropping out of the Copa Del Rey in extra time against Atlético in January (W18, D8), last losing inside 90 minutes to the same opponents way back in September!
Looking to upset the odds by toppling the Galácticos are Atalanta, a club who have just two major honours in their trophy cabinet. The way in which Atalanta won the 2023/24 Europa League trophy to end a 61-year drought was nothing short of remarkable too, as they dismantled a Bayer Leverkusen side who were unbeaten in 51 games heading into that final by an emphatic 3-0 scoreline.
That ultimately confirmed Atalanta’s place in this game as the 41st different side to play in the UEFA Super Cup, meaning this is the fourth consecutive season in which a debutant side has featured. History suggests that Atalanta will be up against it however, with two of the last three debutants, Villarreal and Frankfurt, going on to lose.
Players to watch: Real Madrid’s newest Galáctico Kylian Mbappé is expected to make his debut here and may well feel confident after assisting in a win in his only prior H2H against Atalanta. Looking to upstage him will be Ademola Lookman, the forward who netted a hat-trick in the Europa League final before extending his scoring streak to three games to round out 2023/24.
Hot stat: The Champions League holders have won ten of the last 11 editions of the UEFA Super Cup, with Real’s 2018 defeat to Atlético being the exception.