Real Madrid will face Atalanta in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday 14 August.
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 goalscorer 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 Wednesday’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."
When is the match? Where to watch it? What are the expected line-ups?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 UEFA Super Cup confrontation between Real Madrid and Atalanta.
Team News
Real Madrid
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.
Ancelotti's likely starting XI
As a result, the manager is likely to field his usual starting XI with one VIP addition: monsieur Kylian Mbappé who finally joined the club after years of back-and-forth flirtation.
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
Atalanta's busy transfer window
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.
They also brought Nicolo Zaniolo on loan from Galatasaray SK.
However, the team isn’t living its best days.
Gianluca Scamacca will be sidelined for months after rupturing his ACL during a 4-1 friendly defeat against Parma.
To compound their difficulties, Nicolo Zaniolo, expected to be one of the team’s key players for the season, is also unavailable due to tendonitis in his left foot – the same foot that had previously sustained a fracture, ruling him out of Italy’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Adding to the challenges, midfielder 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 finalize his move further disrupted Atalanta’s preparations, leaving them out of their most influential players and adding pressure on Ademola Lookman’s shoulders.
Likely lineups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Militão, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vinicius Junior
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Atalanta: Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Lookman, De Ketelaere; Retegui.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini
Key Players
Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappé
If you thought Real Madrid reached the pinnacle of football excellence and are unable to become scarier, you’re wrong.
If you believe facing Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Arda Güler, Brahim Diaz, Federico Valverde, and Luka Modric is scary, wait until you hear more.
Los Merengues added someone… and not just anyone!
France’s star man Kylian Mbappe joined the Champions League winners after years of discussions, failed attempts, and resistance from PSG management.
And even though the Frenchman might not be fully fit and might not have a full 90-match in his legs, it would be insane to count him out.
Atalanta – Ademola Lookman
When the Italians defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final, one name featured in all headlines.
The 26-year-old Ademola Lookman who scored his team’s three goals is in a near-perfect performance.
Lookman is another example of a talented attacker who revitalized his career under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Once seen as a disappointment at Everton and RB Leipzig, he has turned into one of the best forwards in Italian football.
Since arriving in Bergamo a year before De Ketelaere, Lookman has become the standout star for Atalanta, shining during the 2022/2023 season with 13 goals with 6 assists.
Lookman then played a key role in helping Atalanta integrate new signings like De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca (former West Ham), yet he still managed to maintain his impressive form, adding 11 goals and 7 assists to his tally, along with similarly great numbers in the Europa League – which helped Atalanta win it.
Underrated and entering his prime at 26 years old, the Nigerian international is the key player to watch for Atalanta.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland is hosting this match. It has a capacity of 58,145 spectators.
What time is kick-off?
The match will start on the evening of Wednesday, August, 14 at 9 PM CET.
How can I watch?
The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network in the USA, Canal+ in France, TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK, beIN Sports 1 in the Middle East, DAZN in Germany, Movistar+ and M+ Liga de Campeones in Spain, and Sky Sport in Italy.
