UEFA Super Cup
UEFA Super Cup Preview: Real Madrid vs Atletico de Madrid
Both Madrid clubs face off in the UEFA Super Cup having secured the Champions League and Europa League titles respectively last season. The all Spanish affair will take place in Tallinn, Estonia at 3 pm EDT on Wednesday.
Despite there being a team from Spain in the past nine Super Cups, this will be the first time two sides from the same city face one another. A surprising detail, considering it is the fifth time both clubs competing are Spanish.
Much talk will be about the strength of each squad. For the most part, Atletico have done well in the transfer market, holding on to key players and making strong additions. Meanwhile, their neighboring rivals have had a less positive summer, losing their greatest ever player to give only one example.
Real Madrid have made a few positive additions, although none are likely to impact Wednesday’s match. As a result, their opponents will feel confident of defending well against them. However, ‘Los Blancos’ could hold a small advantage over ‘Los Rojiblancos’ in that regard.
Real coach Julen Lopetegui is expected to field a similar team to Zinedine Zidane’s starting 11 last season. Missing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. Conversely, Diego Simeone is expected to ‘test drive’ several new signings, most of whom have only played several minutes together.
Whereas Atletico may benefit from its variety, the bigger Madrid club should benefit from better team chemistry. Lopetegui’s side completed it’s pre-season with comfortable a 3-1 record. This was due largely to player’s understanding of one another formed in previous seasons.
Predictions
The Champions League winner’s lineup should look like Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Asensio, Bale and Benzema. Likewise, expect familiar faces to come on as substitutes in the second half. Considering this years Super Cup will allow a fourth substitution in extra time, Lopetegui may hand a European debut to Vinicius Jr. or Valverde.
On the other side, the Europa League champions are expected to field Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe; Koke, Rodrigo, Saul, Lemar; Griezmann and Costa. With Simeone’s new signings, it is hard to guess which formation the Argentinian will use. Twenty-three year old Gelson Martins may debut as a substitute, providing a late threat for his new club.
Possible Real Madrid lineup
Possible Atletico de Madrid lineup
All things considered, this match should be close in its scoreline, barring any special circumstances. It’s likely that Atletico will concede more than usual as the two new faces in midfield wet their feet. However, ‘more than usual’ for ‘The Mattress Makers’ is not much. The defensive line including Godin, Gimenez and Juanfran will not give up goals cheaply. Likewise, Greizman and Costa will not waste a single opportunity up front.
Real Madrid will rely on the ability of their forwards and midfielders to read one another’s mind. At the same time, the familiar defensive partnership of Ramos and Varane will have no room for error. Especially, given the fact that no one knows how new-comers Lemar and Rodrigo will be utilized for their opponents. Extra time is a very real possibility with Navas and Oblak deciding the outcome. In that case, Keylor will give his response to Courtois’ arrival.
Real Madrid 2 – 2 Atletico de Madrid A.E.T. (4-2)
