REAL MADRID VS ATALANTA – UEFA SUPER CUP 2024 – PREVIEW & PREDICTION
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football match that usually pits the winners of the UEFA Champions League against the winners of the UEFA Europa League. However, if we imagine a hypothetical scenario where Real Madrid and Atalanta face off in this prestigious match, here’s a preview and prediction:
Preview
Real Madrid will be looking to become the first club to win six UEFA Super Cup titles when they face Atalanta in Warsaw on Wednesday evening.
Real Madrid, one of the most successful clubs in European football, boasts a squad filled with world-class talent.
They have a strong midfield led by experienced players like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, while their attack is spearheaded by players like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Their defense, usually anchored by players like Éder Militão, is solid and difficult to break down. Madrid’s experience in big games, coupled with their tactical flexibility under coach Carlo Ancelotti, makes them a formidable opponent.
They have also strengthened this summer with the acquisition of French star Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé could make his competitive debut for the Spanish giants in this match. The last player to score on his debut for Real Madrid was Jude Bellingham against Athletic Club in La Liga in August 2023, while Mbappé is a man for the occasion. He’s scored eight goals in the last 11 finals he has played for club and country, including six goals in the last five: one in the Coupe de France in 2021, one in the UEFA Nations League in 2021, three in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and one in Trophée des Champions in 2021.
Another player who enjoys big matches is Brazilian forward Vinícius Jr. He’s been directly involved in 10 goals in the 10 finals he has played for Real Madrid (seven goals and three assists). He has scored in the last two of those, with a hat-trick versus Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup 2024 and his UCL final goal versus Borussia Dortmund last season.
Despite their strengths, Real Madrid can sometimes struggle against high-pressing teams and might be vulnerable on the counter-attack. Additionally, any injury to key players could disrupt their rhythm.
Serie A team Atalanta will play in the UEFA Super Cup for the first time after winning the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League with a convincing 3-0 win over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the final back in May. That was their first ever major European trophy, with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman grabbing a hat-trick – the sixth to be scored in a major UEFA final.
Atalanta, known for their attacking style of play under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, has been one of the most exciting teams in Serie A in recent years. They play with intensity, focusing on quick transitions and high pressing. Players like Duván Zapata, Teun Koopmeiners, and Marten de Roon bring both skill and physicality to the squad. Their unpredictability and ability to score from various positions make them dangerous, especially in knockout-style games.
Atalanta’s aggressive approach sometimes leaves them exposed at the back, particularly against teams with fast attackers. They can also be inconsistent, especially when facing top-tier European clubs with greater experience in high-pressure situations.
Prediction
This will be just the third time that Real Madrid and Atalanta have met in a competitive fixture, after they were drawn against one another in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 back in 2020-21.
Real Madrid won both legs of that tie, prevailing 1-0 in Bergamo thanks to a Ferland Mendy strike after Remo Freuler was sent off after just 17 minutes, before winning 3-1 at their temporary home of the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. Real reached the semi-finals that season before being knocked out by eventual winners Chelsea over two legs.
The last time that a Spanish club played an Italian side in the UEFA Super Cup was in 2010, when Atlético Madrid defeated Internazionale 2-0 in Monaco.
Line Up Prediction :
Real Madrid : Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Gian Piero Gasperini Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
Real Madrid, with their experience and depth, might edge out a victory in a closely contested match. While Atalanta’s high-energy play and offensive firepower could trouble Madrid, the Spanish giants are likely to exploit any defensive lapses. Real Madrid’s ability to control the pace of the game and their experience in handling pressure situations could prove decisive.
This would likely be an entertaining match, with plenty of attacking football and chances for both sides.
#realmadrid #uefasupercup #atalanta #preview #prediction #football #footballpredictions #mbappe #viniciusjr #mbappé #mbapperealmadrid #realmadridvsmancity #uefa #uefachampionsleague